Pest control is an essential part of Good Manufacturing Practice in food processing from a hygiene, economic and regulatory viewpoint.
Pests can carry a wide range of diseases causing organisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths that can cause harm to consumers and staff of businesses processing and handling food. They can also cause physical contamination of ingredients and processed products from, for example, droppings, shed fur and feathers, body parts, nesting material and damaged packaging.