The prohibition order was served by the HSE on September 5 and still remains in place over a month later
A live rat was spotted in the premises by the HSE inspector, along with visible rat droppings. Stock photo.
A wholesaler and distributor in Co Kildare was served a prohibition order by the HSE after the premises was found to be infested by rats.
BK Foods Limited, Clongorey, Newbridge, Kildare has been prohibited from selling all dry goods, including food, beverages and food packaging, located in its warehouse at Clongorey.
A HSE inspection report, published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) this week, revealed that the reason behind the prohibition order being issued last month was due to “rat infestation throughout the premises”.
As stated by the HSE inspector in their report, all dry foods stored in its warehouse are not to be used for human consumption or placed on the market for the duration of the prohibition order.
During their visit to the premise, the HSE inspector found that the layout, design and construction of the food premises does not permit good food hygiene practices and in particular, pest control.
“Food products and food packaging are stored in a warehouse that is not adequately pest-proofed resulting in a rat infestation throughout the premises,” explained the inspector.
They also found that adequate procedures were not in place to control pests in the premises. This was proven when the inspector spotted a “live rat” in the premises along with rat droppings visible on the floor and shelving throughout the warehouse where foodstuffs and food packaging was stored.
Subsequently, the inspector deemed the premises a danger to public health and issued a prohibition order on September 5, 2025. The prohibition order still remains in place over a month later.
In total, the FSAI issued ten enforcement orders on food businesses during the month of September.
“It’s concerning that we continue to see serious and recurring breaches of food safety law,” said Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive of the FSAI.
“These types of breaches are preventable where food businesses have a proper robust food safety management system in place and ensure staff are adequately trained.”