Progress on 2001 Provincial Auditor's Recommendations

More data, data received in a timely manner, and quick and easy means of viewing data, have greatly assisted OMAFRA Staff with timely follow-up when goat milk samples do not meet the bacterial standard. This is a significant improvement from the 2001 Provincial Auditor's report in which the Food Inspection Branch received criticism for slow and insufficient response to high bacteria test results.

Also, now nearly 98 per cent of producers are receiving quality results on a consistent basis.

This is certainly a significant milestone on the raw goat milk sampling and testing front, particularly in view of the audit report which noted that OMAFRA failed to test goat milk samples each month.

The audit also noted that almost 30 per cent of the samples received by the lab could not be tested because of age. Through diligent efforts by goat milk marketers and transporters, significant improvements have been made to the procedures used to store and transport goat milk samples to LSD. Standard operating procedures have been developed and strict acceptance and rejection criteria are being applied to ensure samples reach LSD at the proper temperature and within two days of collection. Samples failing to meet criteria are not tested and notices are quickly relayed to the affected marketer and OMAFRA Staff for follow-up. Over the last three months the number of samples rejected for testing due to age has dropped to 0.5 per cent. Over the same period, only 0.7 per cent of samples were rejected due to unacceptable temperature upon receipt at Lab Services.