An audit of the state Department of Human Services by the Comptroller has called into question management and spending in the children's food program.

Media outlets report most of the spending questioned in Tuesday's audit involved an $80 million food program intended to provide meals to kids who lack access to nutritious food in Tennessee. It also called into question more than 10 percent of the program's annual operating budget.

The audit described multiple violations of federal regulations and basic accounting practices, including examples in which DHS provided cash advances for food purchases to agencies that never requested them.

The audit places responsibility for the oversight failures on DHS management, including Commissioner Raquel Hatter.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Jarnagin issued a statement to the Tennessean on Hatter's behalf saying the audit doesn't mean the costs in question are the result of fraud, waste or abuse.