Five food businesses were served with closure orders last month after they were found in breach of safety laws.
In Cork, Costello Stores on Shandon Street and Mr Kebab in the city were ordered to shut.
The Exchange Bar in Waterford City, Londis in Bellurgan in Louth and Oriental City in Portlaoise were also closed by the Food Safety Authority in January.
Inspectors found evidence of rodents and inadequate pest control at some premises.
An "extremely large build-up of congealed blood" in freezers along with food debris and dirt was also discovered.
Dirt was a common reason for the orders, including grease on equipment such as microwaves.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said: “The Enforcement Orders in the first month of the year have demonstrated that inadequate hygiene practices are continuing to put consumers at unnecessary risk of falling ill.
"Food legislation is primarily set to protect consumers from a variety of threats such as pest infestation and food contamination by dangerous bacteria."
Dr Byrne said: "It is wholly unacceptable that there continues to be some food businesses who are failing to have the right food safety management systems in place to ensure the food they serve to their customers is safe to eat.”
Main image: File photo. Credit: Michael Interisano/Zuma Press/PA Images
