A state audit shows New Hampshire's food protection program is mired in inefficiencies that are preventing the timely inspection of establishments that sell and produce food.
A legislative committee will discuss the audit at a meeting Friday after hearing a presentation by state auditors. The audit says many of the state's procedures are ineffective and may be leading to an increase in foodborne illnesses. It also finds that a number of high risk food establishments are not being inspected in a timely fashion.
It says the state has a "fractured food safety network" and that inefficiencies in the system cost the state about 600 inspections within one year and a net loss of more than $1 million.
