Limerick takeaway closed following discovery of rodent droppings

A TAKEAWAY in Limerick city was ordered to close after rodent droppings were found on the floor in the food production area, it has been confirmed. 

A closure order, under the provisions of the FSAI Act 1998, was served on Razwan Sulwara who operates Hot Spot, Parnell Street on January 29 after environmental health officers with the Health Service Executive conducted an inspection of the premises.

A report submitted to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland states that rodent droppings were found in a number of locations.

“They were present on the floor at the rear of upright fridge on which TV screen is mounted and under deep fat fryers. Droppings were also present at the opening to a gap under the front counter,” states the two page report.

Droppings were also found on the floor under the pizza oven at the rear of the premises. The report ads that several gaps were present in the internal structure of the building “allowing for harbourage of rodents.”

The same premises was also ordered to close a year ago – following an inspection on January 30, 2017.

On that occasion, a HSE inspector stated there was an “absence of hot water for personal, structural and operational hygiene purposes” when he visited the business on the day. In his report, he said there had been a “failure” by the operator of the takeaway business “to maintain the premises in a clean condition and good repair”.