Food processing facilities offer the perfect conditions for pest intrusion. Rodents, flies, cockroaches and stored product intruders, such as beetles and Indian meal moths all can be the primary culprits behind the adulteration of the food supply.
Dr. Brittany Campbell, entomologist for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a non-profit organization that supports the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests, says that proper pest control in food processing facilities has become even more important with the implementation of FSMA, as it gives the FDA much more authority and oversight. “As a result, a lack of or inadequate pest control programs can result in fines and shutdowns. In addition, facilities may be audited by a third-party to ensure they are meeting safety standards that have specific requirements in their code regarding pest control.”