FSAI closes pizza restaurant over 'extensive' infestation

Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 12:19

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Rodent droppings "on top" of a mayonnaise container and evidence of "gnawing" were among the reasons enforcement orders were served on food businesses last month, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has said.

Pizza Max, located on Talbot Street in Dublin city centre, was served a closure order due to rodent activity "throughout the premise", with the environmental health officer ordering "all of the premise be closed".

Closure orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities and are served where there is or is likely to be a danger to public health.

The food hygiene inspection report for the restaurant found an "extensive active" rodent infestation", with rodent droppings noted "in the dough preparation area" as it was being prepared, near delivery bags, on shelving units and floors "throughout the premise".

There was also evidence of "gnawed packaging" and "multiple gaps" int he structure of the building, it added.

'Complete lack of cleaning'

Other establishments issued with closure orders for the entire premise include JJ Ramen in Stillorgan, Dublin, and The Smoky Island in Co Cork.

In the order for JJ Ramen noted raw duck was "hanging on racks next to sauces, vegetables and cooked meat presenting cross-contamination risks", adding that raw meat was also defrosting in a sink used for "washing ready-to-eat food" and equipment.

It said the restaurant showed "a complete lack of cleaning", with "no disinfection chemicals" available to provide suitable cleaning of work utensils and surfaces.

The environmental health officer said rodent droppings "had not been cleaned up", noting such droppings were found on the floor, food storage rooms and food preparation areas.

The Smoky Island Limited was issued a closure order and a prohibition order, which is issued to stop the sale of an item, if activities involving it do or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular item.

The closure order was issued as its "wash up facilities were situated outside the back garden area", with the document noting "no supply of hot water" was available at these sinks.

It said the premise "is no longer suitable for the operations being carried out" as it had changed from a domestic setting.

The order said: "The layout and design is likely to result in contamination of food with harmful bacteria as the floor and shelves and equipment cannot be cleaned effectively."

"The floor and shelves where utensils were stored were constructed of chipboard which was not smooth and easy to clean," it added.

A number of food items, including duck, mackerel, pork and chicken, were ordered to be "withdrawn from sale with immediate effect" under the prohibition order.

Live5D Health Limited in Boyle, Co Roscommon, was also served a prohibition order.

The document ordered a number of dietary supplements, an electrolyte and a product for joint support to be withdrawn.

The evironmental health officer said the products should "not used for human consumption" and "restricted or prohibited from being placed on the market".

'Entirely preventable'

FSAI Chief executive Greg Dempsey said it is "deeply concerning" that some food businesses continue to fall short of "fundamental food safety requirements".

Breaches, such as rodent activity and poor hygiene practices, "pose a risk to consumer health and are entirely preventable".

"With the busy Christmas period fast approaching, we are reminding food businesses to start preparing now so that they have robust food safety procedures in place to deal with increased demands and pressures on their businesses," he added.