You’ve hired a professional pest control service. You’ve got monthly visits. You even have the invoice to prove it.
So why do pest control programmes continue to appear in non-conformity reports during food safety audits?
The issue isn’t just the presence of pests, it’s the absence of documentation, verification, and clear responsibilities. In recent audits shared by European certification bodies, pest control non-conformities remain among the top 10 findings across sectors. These include missing records, undefined monitoring zones, outdated site maps, and no follow-up on pest activity trends.
What Auditors Frequently Find Missing
???? No Defined Responsibility for Pest Monitoring
Even with external providers, businesses must assign internal responsibility to oversee records, reporting, and corrective actions.
???? Lack of Site-Specific Data
Generic reports or outdated pest activity maps fail to reflect the actual layout or vulnerabilities of the facility.
???? Inadequate Trend Analysis
Isolated pest sightings are documented, but rarely evaluated over time to identify hotspots or seasonal patterns.
???? Failure to Integrate into Food Safety Plan
Pest control isn’t just a hygiene requirement; it impacts contamination risk, especially in open production zones or storage areas.
Audit-Ready Pest Control Systems
Facilities with strong pest management programmes demonstrate more than just invoices. Their documentation tells a story of prevention, oversight, and accountability.
✅ Up-to-date site maps
Accurate representation of monitoring points, bait stations, and risk zones.
✅ Documented corrective actions
Including photographic evidence, root cause identification, and follow-up reports.
✅ Internal reviews
Regular checks by site personnel to confirm that external services are aligned with facility needs.
✅ Trend charts and summaries
Aggregated data to identify recurring issues and evaluate program effectiveness.
Certima’s Mission
As an impartial certification body, Certima assesses compliance with international food safety measures. While Certima does not provide operational guidance, audits serve as a valuable tool for businesses looking to evaluate their fraud prevention strategies and supply chain integrity.