A spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development today blamed budget cutbacks for the delayed inspections, but said limited staff resources were focused on areas of highest risk and “the safety and integrity of Michigan’s food system was never compromised.”
Jennifer Holton said the department agrees with the nine recommendations in the report and is already taking steps to comply with them.
The auditor general identified a failure to conduct food safety inspections at food processors, grocery stores and restaurants as frequently as required by state law. The audit said the department did not conduct routine inspections at 6,324, or 48%, of the 13,221 food establishments for which an inspection was due.
Depending on the type, food establishments must be inspected every six, 12 or 18 months, the report said.