European Commission (EC) auditors have accused pet food producers in Ireland of “widespread and systematic” failure to meet European Union standards, the Irish Independent reported. He criticized the Department of Agriculture. The EC called facility inspectors untrustworthy and accused them of approving dirty and unhygienic conditions that violate food safety regulations.
EC auditors observed “multiple non-compliances” at pet food and animal by-product processing plants, while departmental auditors reported none. For example, auditors found pet food byproducts at one rendering facility that included animal heads with plastic ear tags still attached. USDA inspectors had approved the factory as complying with EU regulations. Additionally, department staff provided advance warning to facility managers prior to the inspection.
The report said that in “almost every sector” “inspection records are unreliable and, overall, Ireland’s public management system in this sector is not fit for purpose”.
In some cases, operators of pet food facilities in Ireland either did not test for Salmonella or misinterpreted the results. These issues were also overlooked by USDA officials.
This wasn’t the first warning for some pet food and ingredient producers. A 2018 audit identified many similar issues.
“Taken together, these findings undermine official assurances that operators involved in Irish pet food production comply with EU requirements,” the auditors wrote in their report.
Pet food facility safety
Safely producing pet food requires a comprehensive approach as it involves many steps and stakeholders to ensure the product complies with safety standards. Raw material suppliers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders should work together to prevent contamination with harmful pathogens, with emphasis on hygiene, proper facility layout, and adherence to production sequences.
An effective food safety plan includes proper employee training and accurate manufacturing and sanitation protocols. These steps are critical to ensure quality and minimize risk. Continuous risk assessment is key, and safety compliance teams integrate efforts to meet national standards. Involvement of representatives from each department is essential as human error remains a significant challenge.
Communication, training and partnership audits are critical, highlighting that a proactive approach to pet food safety is essential.
