Two cases of listeria found in milk products since 2014

Two cases of listeria in milk products were identified in Irish processing establishments since last year, according to an EU audit of controls in place in the Irish dairy sector.

Dirty and rusty equipment and other shortcomings were also identified in the audit by inspectors from the European Commission’s food and veterinary office.

Overall the report praises the controls in place and says no risks were identified for consumers.

Of 2,540 samples tested in 2014 in one regional microbiology laboratory visited by the audit team, one potential food safety risk was identified, listeria in pasteurised milk.

The establishment was required to suspend processing until it could provide guarantees the food safety risk was eliminated. The suspension was lifted when test results were deemed acceptable.

Goat’s cheese

Last March, another positive listeria case in soft goat’s cheese made from raw milk was identified.

Corrective actions were not complete at the time the report was finished and the processing activity of the establishment remained under suspension.

In one establishment, the audit team found “dirty, bad quality, painted” wooden pallets being used in the production area, where exported products were packed.

In two establishments visited, maintenance and cleaning were deemed not adequate because of dirty and rusty equipment.

Inappropriate use of a hose that could cause cross-contamination through splashing of cleaning water was faulted in two establishments.

Official controls

Overall, however, the report found an effective system for hygiene control was in place “nothwithstanding that some minor shortcomings had not been identified during official controls”.

The audit, which took place over 10 days last April, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of official controls on the production of milk and milk products

The Irish control system for the dairy sector is well organised, the audit found.

Documented procedures are in place and official controls are carried out frequently. Laboratory tests were available and reliable.

Official controls for tuberculosis were carried out in line with requirements.

No potential risk for food safety was identified, according to the audit.