Audit Suggests Georgia Food Manufacturers Not Testing

Georgia passed a first-of-its-kind food testing law in 2009 after a deadly salmonella outbreak was traced to a peanut manufacturer here.

But a report has raised questions about whether Georgia manufacturers follow the law.

Auditors accompanied state food inspectors on tours of 11 facilities while doing research for an audit of the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s food inspection program. The June audit said a half-dozen facilities were not conducting the required tests.

Auditors also estimated that just over 7,500 tests should have been conducted on final food products from June 2010 to December 2011. But just seven positive tests were reported during that period.

Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said that while manufacturers must comply with all laws, his department is still educating them about the relatively new requirements.