Michigan Fails to Inspect Dairy Farms, Groceries

Auditors say a Michigan agency failed to routinely inspect dairy farms, grocery stories and food processing plants for safety.

An audit released Thursday also found that the state didn’t do enough mandatory follow-up inspections at sites with safety violations.

Michigan’s Food and Dairy Division says it didn’t have enough staffing to inspect all food establishments on time. Auditors agree, saying at least another 10 inspectors should have been hired between 2009 and 2012.

State officials say they will continue asking for funding to hire more food inspectors. They recently got more money to do dairy inspections.

Auditors say grocery stores, food processors and warehouses must be inspected every six, 12 or 18 months. But some weren’t inspected in seven to 12 years.