[Britster]

Yikes. Definitely makes you wonder what goes on in ALL of these plants... I mean I don't expect a dog food facility (or heck even a human facility) to be 100% perfect or all flowers and daisies, but this is kind of ridiculous.

FDA releases report on Diamond Pet Foods

OBSERVATION 1
All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures do not contribute contamination from any source.
Specifically, no microbiological analysis is conducted or there is no assurance that incoming animal fat will not introduce pathogens into their production and cause contamination of finished product. Also, the firm’s current sampling procedure for animal digest does preclude potential for adulteration after sampling and during storage in warehouse. On 4/13/12, an employee was observed touching in-line filter oil with bare hands.
OBSERVATION 2
Failure to provide hand washing and sanitizing facilities at each location in the plant where needed.
Specifically, there are no facilities for hand washing or hand sanitizing in the production areas where there is direct contact with exposed finished feed/food.
OBSERVATION 3
Failure to maintain equipment, containers and utensils used to convey, hold, and store food in a manner that protects against contamination.
Specifically, paddles conveyor (South or Middle conveyor leading to the screeners going to packaging) were observed to have gouges and cuts, which exhibited feed residues. The damage to the paddles may allow for harborage areas for microorganisms and are difficult to clean and sanitize.
OBSERVATION 4
Failure to maintain equipment so as facilitate cleaning of the equipment.
Specifically, firm utilizes cardboard, duct tape, and other non cleanable surfaces on equipment. These materials were observed to have residues adhering. The foam gaskets around access doors to the bucket elevators were observed in deteriorating condition exhibited an accumulation of feed residues and dust.

The FDA inspection report specifically mentions the ingredient "animal fat" and "animal digest". Is this an FDA clue to bigger issues? Per the ingredient statements of every pet food recalled made at this Diamond South Carolina plant, neither of these ingredients are listed in the ingredient panel (at least my search of each brand did not find any). Not one cat food or dog food has the ingredients animal fat or animal digest listed.