EU audits expose gaps in UK and Irish dairy controls

Recent EU audits have flagged significant shortcomings in dairy safety oversight across Ireland and the UK. While Ireland’s control systems were described as well-organised, auditors raised concerns over unapproved cold stores and traceability lapses in returned dairy goods. Nine cases of Listeria in lightly heat-treated dairy products also drew attention.

In the UK, five recommendations followed inspections that uncovered hygiene failures, missed inspection targets, poor record-keeping, and cheese consignments stored in unsanitary conditions with no traceability. Worryingly, only 18% of local authorities use the national food sampling database, limiting risk analysis capabilities.

Both countries were urged to tighten controls and oversight, particularly for export certification and the handling of returned products.

Read the full article to explore the audit findings and their implications for dairy exports.