Health officials have forced a Chinese takeaway to shut its doors after an inspection raised serious fears that food could be contaminated with faecal matter.
Drainage Failure Sparks Immediate Closure
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued a closure order for Quack N Wok in Dublin on 8 December. Inspectors discovered the premises had a malfunctioning and inadequate drainage system. This critical failure presented a severe risk of pathogenic bacteria contaminating both food and food preparation equipment.
The official report stated the poor drainage was "likely to result in food and food contact equipment being contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, rendering it unfit for human consumption." More alarmingly, the report detailed that food, including chicken and duck, was likely contaminated by "foul water containing faecal matter" via the dirty hands and clothing of staff handling it.
Other Businesses Face Enforcement Action
The closure of Quack N Wok was not an isolated incident in December. The FSAI also took action against two other food businesses for separate breaches.
Ella Okonufua, trading as EB Food Essentials Coolanagh, was ordered to close on 10 December. Inspectors found the business was operating illegally without being registered, thus evading essential food safety controls. Major issues with food traceability were also uncovered, including:
- Unidentifiable suppliers for products.
- Three boxes of goat meat mislabelled as lamb, brisket, and silverside flat.
- Unlabelled bags of goat meat and 35 bags of snails imported from Nigeria.
Separately, Ruby's Cakes in Navan received a closure order on 11 December due to an "active mouse infestation on the premises." This order was lifted four days later on 15 December after the issue was resolved.
Fundamental Breaches Continue to Concern Authorities
While the total number of enforcement orders fell slightly in 2025 compared to 2024, FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey expressed disappointment at the ongoing need for such action. He highlighted that closures are still necessary due to basic failures.
"It is disappointing that we continue to see enforcement action being necessary due to fundamental breaches, such as pest infestations, poor hygiene, unsafe storage of food, inadequate staff training, and the absence of food safety management systems," Dempsey said.
He also emphasised the danger posed by unregistered businesses, which operate outside the official control system and directly risk consumer health. As of the latest reports, both the Quack N Wok and EB Food Essentials Coolanagh orders remain in effect over a month after they were issued.
