Food warehouse in the Midlands closed after dead mice and mouse droppings found

A warehouse in the Midlands was served with a closure order after rodent droppings and dead mice were discovered. 

Universal Food Wholesale Distribution Limited located at Unit B3 National Business Park, Togher, Portlaoise was served with a closure order on February 28, 2025. 

The Health Service Executive issued the order after an inspector on behalf of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland(FSAI) had formed the opinion that “there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health” due to their findings.

“Rodent droppings were noted around the edge of the floor of the warehouse/delivery area, especially beneath the shelving racks. Six mouse carcases were noted beneath the shelving racks and around the edges of the warehouse floor,” the inspection report states.  

READ NEXT: Two people arrested after series of thefts from vehicles in Offaly

It said: "A large container which had no lid and which was full of miscellaneous items such as old aprons in black refuse sacks and old light fittings, also had a large number of mouse droppings in the base. There were a number of spillages of foodstuffs around the floor which had not been cleaned up and were providing a food source for the mice.

A number of gaps/holes were noted around the floor of the warehouse storage area beneath the shelving racks which were obvious entry routes for mice. Mouse droppings were noted around these holes and a mouse carcase(Sic) was noted in a trap beside one of the holes,” the inspector stated. 

The report also stated that: ”A number of crates and boxes of foods - spices, rice and soft drinks - which were left on-site from the previous business were noted to be stored on the racks around and above the warehouse area. These foods were noted to be out of date.”

READ NEXT: Worrying reports of child in balaclava carrying knife in Offaly housing estate

It also found “numerous mouse carcases were found in the warehouse area which had not been removed. There were also many mouse droppings noted around the warehouse area which had not been cleaned up. No documentation regarding pest control checks was available.”

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported that seven Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of February for breaches of food safety legislation. 

The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and sea-fisheries protection officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.

Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: Universal Food Wholesale Distribution Limited (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Unit B3 National Enterprise Park, Togher, Portlaoise, Laois and Far East (Restaurant/ Café), 339 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. 

Four Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Day to Day, Hayestown (Retailer), Boyne Road, Hayestown, Navan, Meath, Bombay Kebab House (Take Away), 3 Bridge Street, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary; Tank & Skinny’s @ Number 6 (Restaurant/ Café), Courtyard Shopping Centre, Letterkenny, Donegal and  Lams (Take Away), 286 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. 

Chief Executive, FSAI, Greg Dempsey, said vigilance is always required in relation to food safety and that standards must  be maintained to ensure that consumer health is not put at risk.

“February’s Enforcement Orders serve as an important reminder that food safety must always be a top priority for all food businesses. Regular checks and adherence to food safety and hygiene standards are essential to protect consumers’ health and maintain public trust. There are no excuses for failing to comply with legal requirements, and any lapse in food safety practices puts consumers at direct risk.

READ NEXT: Major Offaly road 'to be ripped up' and closed amid confusion and traffic chaos

Implementing a food safety management system is straightforward, especially with the supports available from the FSAI, yet some businesses continue to neglect this crucial legal requirement. Consumers have a right to safe food and it is imperative that all food businesses uphold the highest standards of food safety and hygiene at all times.”

Separately, during the month of February the FSAI said one prosecution was taken by the Health Service Executive in relation to: Dunnes Stores Unlimited Company (Retailer), Trimgate Street, Navan, Meath.