asked the Minister for Health the standards of hygiene and quality which are demanded of street side traders; the number of inspections carried out by his Department to ensure compliance with such standards by street traders; and the number of notices served for breach of standards.
Written Answers. - Street Traders.
659.
Statutory hygiene requirements in relation to street side trade in food (including trade from mobile vehicles) are contained in the Food Hygiene Regulations 1950-71.
These regulations prohibit the sale for human consumption of food which is diseased, contaminated or otherwise unfit for human consumption and require that adequate precautions should be taken to prevent contamination of food. Hygienic conditions must be maintained and hygienic precautions must be observed by food handlers. There is also provision for the seizure of unfit food and for its destruction.
These regulations are enforced by the health boards. In 1981 a total of 8,624 inspections and 1,551 follow-up inspections of street side traders engaged in food sales was carried out. The usual procedure is to issue verbal warnings where adequate standards are not being maintained. A total of seven prosecutions were brought in 1981 against street side traders for offences under these regulations.