The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has ordered the closure of a business in Cavan. MJ Atkinson Limited, located in Unit 3 of the Pullamore Business Park on the Dublin Road, was one of seven food businesses shut down by the FSAI last month.
According to the FSAI, the establishment had not been registered or approved by a competent authority for the operations taking place, specifically the storage and processing of meat and poultry.
In the absence of official controls, it was not possible to verify compliance with food law and there was an increased risk that unsafe food may be placed on the market. During the inspection, meat was considered to be "unfit" for human consumption due to putrefaction, foreign body contamination and poor storage conditions at the establishment. As the meat had not been designated as animal by-products it was presumed as being held for the purpose of sale and placed on the market.
Meanwhile, no HACCP based food safety management procedures or associated monitoring records, including records to demonstrate maintenance of the cold-chain, were available for inspection. Meat stored at the establishment showed evidence of putrefaction suggesting that the cold chain was not effectively maintained.
