ABSTRACT
It is fortunate that conditions such as the one described in Upton Sinclair’s classic novel about the meat-packing industry can be easily be avoided given all that has been learned over the years about sanitation and pest control. The food plant environment is attractive to pests as it provides ideal conditions and basic survival needs for pests: food, water, warmth/temperature, security, and absence of natural predators. Insects and rodents are attracted to odors from food plants and lighting used both inside and outside the facility. Pest control is part of the overall sanitation plan; in fact, a high percentage of pest control is sanitation. It is intended to prevent contamination of ingredients and food products and is a requirement for conformance to federal regulations. The Code of Federal Regulations, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (21CFR110.35) makes it very clear that pests are to be excluded from food plants:
(c) Pest control. No pests shall be allowed in any area of a food plant. Guard or guide dogs may be allowed in some areas of a plant if the presence of the dogs is unlikely to result in contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials.
