An audit of ambient storage and distribution food business operators in Ireland has revealed pest control problems and a variety of other deficiencies.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said some non-compliances undermined the safety of the foods being stored.
Twenty-four onsite audits of individual establishments were conducted between April and August 2023. The focus was on areas such as labeling, traceability, storage conditions, and product handling activities. The assessment was done to verify that food safety management systems were fit for purpose.
Most visits were unannounced, but two firms were provided with prior notice, due to known limited operational hours.
Pest control problems
Officials also checked that any products no longer fit for human consumption were being managed appropriately and in compliance with relevant regulations.
At one company, 55.5-kilograms of unlabeled meat was found in a freezer. There were eight packs of frozen meat in unlabeled, sealed trays, while the majority was stored in non-food grade plastic shopping bags. There were no health marks on the meat and no accompanying paperwork. All meat was voluntarily disposed of by the business during the audit.
A total of 77 non-compliances with food law were found. Breaches were detected in 16 of the 24 businesses audited.
Non-compliances associated with pest control were found in 14 companies. Almost 30 percent of issues raised were linked to pest control, with rodent droppings in one-third of inspected businesses. There was evidence of bird activity in five sites.
On six occasions non-compliances were deemed to be serious, as significant concerns were raised regarding the evidence of rodent activity, adequacy of pest prevention and control measures, the standard of hygiene, adequacy of labeling and the condition of site and building standards.
Other highlighted issues
Eight of the 24 businesses audited held third party certification to a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard, with a grade A or higher. However, these sites accounted for more than 42 percent of all non-compliances with food law.
Findings from one visit resulted in a fixed payment notice being issued by the FSAI for failure to notify the official agency of an establishment under its control. In five visits, FSAI recommended that enforcement measures be considered. In each case, no enforcement action was notified by the official agency concerned.
Deficiencies in product labeling were found in five firms. At two food and drink distributors, several products were not accompanied by mandatory food information in English.
The audit team noted on four occasions that products were stored outside the warehouse before being taken inside or being dispatched. At one site, some food products were stored on the ground.
Problems in the management of damaged, returned, and expired products were found in seven companies and issues with site and building standards were identified in nine inspections.
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