Tuesday, 19 December 2023
The FSAI today publishes its Audit of Official Controls in the Dairy Production Chain. The FSAI has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food law in Ireland. The FSAI carries out official control audits to examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of official controls as implemented by official agencies in relation to food law, service contracts and MANCP requirements.
This audit of official controls performed by the Dairy Controls and Certification Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the dairy production chain was undertaken as part of the FSAI’s 2022 planned programme of audits. Five out six Dairy Controls and Certification Division regional areas and a total of 11 food business operators were audited between August 2022 and November 2022.
The audit covered the organisation, planning, implementation, and review of official controls within the Dairy Controls and Certification Division at national and regional levels. The objective was to assess the suitability and effectiveness of official controls carried out by the Dairy Controls and Certification Division and to assess the compliance of selected establishments with food law which related to their food business operation.
Findings relating to the performance, suitability and effectiveness of official controls were identified during the component of audit conducted in the regional areas. These audit findings have identified opportunities to further strengthen elements of the Dairy Controls and Certification Division’s official controls systems and processes.
The audit team assessed compliance with relevant food law in 11 food business operations within the dairy production chain. During the audit of food business operators, non-compliances with food law were identified which resulted in the issuing of compliance notices by the Dairy Controls and Certification Division.
The report makes reference to findings requiring corrective action which have been addressed by the Dairy Controls and Certification Division subsequent to the audit.
Audit of Official Controls in the Dairy Production Chain
Audit of Official Controls in the Dairy Production Chain - Corrective Action Plan
