Food safety audits help regulate all operations in the food industry by ensuring compliance and integrity.
Food safety audits help regulate all operations in the food industry by ensuring compliance and integrity.
All food businesses are committed to maintaining food safety throughout their operations. It almost goes without saying that any type of food business must follow food safety laws and regulations to protect public health. In the pursuit of highlighting the importance of food safety and its maintenance and as part of the role of government agencies in protecting public health, food safety audits are conducted.
Food safety audits are an essential part of the food industry but are sometimes considered a dreaded experience by food business owners.
In this article, we walk you through the key information for a food safety audit:
A food safety audit is described as a highly structured activity that aims to document evaluations of a food business's food safety system. It helps determine if all practices are according to appropriate food laws and regulations.
A food safety audit creates a transparent report about the situation and level of food safety systems in a food business and highlights its strengths and weaknesses. These food inspection reports can then be used to improve your food safety management strategy.
As consumers become increasingly aware of food safety laws and regulations and the risk of food contamination, food safety audits are becoming more essential than ever. Food safety agencies have heavily emphasized hazard analysis and prevention to protect public health. All the more reason for you to focus on strengthening your food control systems!
Consider the case of a food processing company that handles raw meat products. A food safety audit for this company might involve evaluating the handling and storage of raw meat, as well as the sanitation and cleaning procedures for equipment and facilities. The audit might also assess the company's HACCP plan, including its hazard analysis, critical control points, and corrective actions.
In contrast, a food safety audit for a catering company might focus on the handling and transportation of food, as well as the sanitation and hygiene practices of food handlers. The audit might also evaluate the company's procedures for reheating and cooling food, as well as its practices for preventing cross-contamination.
These food safety audits can be conducted by internal or external auditors and regulatory agencies, depending on their objectives. And with a better understanding of the specific needs and risks associated with different industries and businesses, food safety auditors can tailor their audits to provide the most effective and efficient evaluation of food safety practices.
Food safety audits can be categorized as either internal or external audits. If an audit is conducted by experienced food safety professionals or managers employed within the food business, then it is considered an internal audit.
On the other hand, external audits are performed by second or third-party organizations. They can then be further subdivided into three categories based on the relationship between the auditor and the food business being audited.
Regardless of the type of food audit, all of them are directed toward the food safety management system of a food business. As such, this is the main area you must focus on. Ensure your food safety management system is comprehensive enough to address all potential risks and hazards and continuously monitor their critical control.
We've created several standard-specific food safety audits for you to download for free:
Food safety audits play a critical role in ensuring the safety and quality of food products.
They promote accountability among food business operators and protect customers from potential public health threats.
Here's a breakdown of why food safety audits are important:
Conducting regular food safety audits helps control and prevent the risk of food safety issues. They can also help food businesses improve their operations for better performance. They contribute to the overall integrity of the food supply chain and support the delivery of safe and high-quality food products to consumers.
Food safety audits can also be categorized based on the focus of the evaluation. Auditing bodies may schedule inspections that will mainly focus on one aspect of the business. This categorization is more straightforward and narrows down the areas that must be prepared.
In some cases, these types of audits can overlap. Food businesses may undergo different audits based on their specific needs, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. It is important for a food business team to understand the type of audit to prepare for it better.
Generally, a food safety audit will observe and evaluate your operations and then identify areas for improvement. These key areas have been well-established over the years and are recognized to be very important in keeping food operations safe.
Food laws and regulations are set for these key areas for inspection. Any food safety audit will cover the following food safety areas:
Including a secured and working waste management system ensures food safety auditors and customers alike that your food business is operating cleanly and is contributing to the protection of the environment.
One of the major sections of a food safety audit is how your employees conduct themselves during your operations to minimize the risk of food contamination. Employee hygiene pertains to the cleanliness of your employees, their proper attire, and hygiene practices such as hand-washing.
During an audit, your food safety auditor will make remarks about these key areas. Should any points need improvement, you are required to address them and comply with a reinspection. These points for improvement may either be urgent that need immediate action or points which can be done without haste.
During your actual audit, take important notes that the auditor emphasizes, as you can use these for further improving your operations and maintaining a competitive position in the whole supply chain.
Whether a food safety audit is conducted by your in-house committee or a third-party organization, a food safety audit follows a specific structure and a set of key areas to evaluate.
As a part of your preparation for a food safety audit, you need to learn what happens when an audit is conducted. Below are some steps that describe how a food safety audit is planned and executed.
Food safety audits mostly comprise standard key areas and involve routine inspections. Your team can easily identify and address any concerns if you regularly conduct inspections.
To help you with routine evaluations, use a health inspection checklist covering most food safety areas to improve your focus on achieving a great score.
A food safety audit checklist should include various items that cover different aspects of food safety practices and compliance. Auditors may customize the checklist to suit the particular needs of the audited organization while ensuring comprehensive coverage of food safety aspects.
Here are some key operations that a food safety audit checklist should cover:
You can build your own food safety checklist or use our free EHO health inspection checklist template and add more areas for auditing.
Food safety audits are never easy. Because some food safety auditors, especially those from your local authority, have the discretion to make unannounced inspections, you must always be prepared.
While we mention that this is a way of becoming prepared, being compliant with food safety regulations and food industry standards is a necessity to keep operating. Preparing for a food safety audit is a win-win activity for your food business.
So, how exactly do you prepare for a food safety audit? Food safety audits are not blind examinations. What we mean by this is that all areas that a food safety audit passes through are well established in food safety guidelines.
This fact gives you the advantage to review them and make sure that you cover all possible areas.
A food safety audit is not only about the state of your food safety management system standards.
Understanding basic food safety shows expertise and confidence in your food practices.
You must be able to answer and justify any question posed by the auditor, whether they may be basic or technical food safety questions.
Not knowing how to answer simple questions such as "What are the food safety hazards of your day-to-day business operations?" shows your lack of preparedness and can be the basis for questioning the integrity of your system.
Almost all food safety management systems stem from prerequisite programs. They are the foundation of the majority of food safety practices. Once you ensure that you have all prerequisite programs in the bag, then you have quite a big chance of impressing your food safety auditor.
These prerequisite programs include current Good Manufacturing Practices, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures, and an allergen control system.
As part of the mandate of most food safety agencies, every food business is required to have a risk-based food safety management system that is proactive. Your HACCP food safety plan must be comprehensive, well-documented, and follow all stated principles.
Set up periodic or quarterly meetings where you and your team would assess how efficient and effective your food safety management system is.
Through such meetings, you can address key areas that are creating problems in your operations. The key to having a good evaluation system is for all of your operations to be monitored and documented in an organized manner.
One of the first steps to a food safety audit is to present your documentation to the food safety auditor before an on-site inspection.
Your monitoring forms, checklists, verification documents, and other progress reports prove that your food control system works. Make sure that all documents are complete and accurate.
Preparing for a food safety audit involves several tasks concerned with almost all the various fields of your food operations. To stay on track and to be sure to remember all food safety tasks, use checklists. These tools allow you to identify urgent matters and focus on their completion.
Unannounced audits can make anyone nervous because there is a lot at stake. Despite this, you can prevent human error by adopting a strict auditing routine within your food business.
Regular internal audits will allow your employees to imprint in their everyday routine the necessary, proper food safety practices and will eventually do them even without supervision. This task will also serve as a practical experience and food safety training and promote continual improvement in your employees' performance.
During one of your regular in-house meetings or when new employees come on board your food business, make sure to orient everyone about food safety audits and what would be the course of action to satisfy their legal requirements.
A critical step to becoming well-prepared is to know what is about to happen. Properly orienting your team creates a strong food safety culture and improves their sense of ownership and accountability for tasks that are assigned to them.
When your team is prepared, there is no need to worry about surprise inspections. Being confident that your team is well-equipped with the proper knowledge and food safety skills ensures a great evaluation report of your food safety audit.
Stay prepared for any food safety audit by conducting in-house inspections using our smart Food Safety Management System. Store all food safety information in one place and remain prepared and compliant using smart tools, such as a smart notification system and real-time overview dashboard.
The entire process of third-party audits is conducted by independent firms that specialize in food safety regulations about evaluating food business operations.
This type of audit is usually conducted for certification purposes or in preparation for a mandated food safety audit by government agencies. They help identify the key areas of your operations that need continuous improvement and the strengths of your team.
Audit reports can serve as your golden ticket to many different types of food safety certifications. Several audit processes are recognized by international organizations, such as the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). This makes any report by an accredited food processor recognizable in different locations.
Here is a list of some of the third-party food safety audit companies that are known in the food manufacturing industry:
Contrary to food audits mandated by government regulatory agencies, a third-party certification body does not have the jurisdiction to order temporary closure of your food business if ever it unravels any severe violations. At most, failing a third-party audit will merit you an unsatisfactory mark, and you will not be awarded the target certificate.
Ensure that you get that food safety certificate by using our smart Food Safety Management System. Use our software's smart tools that will help the team consistently ensure food safety compliance while all information is collected in a single storage space. Perform a quick general overview of your food safety progress using our real-time dashboard.
A food safety audit process will not be complete without a food safety and quality auditor.
Food safety auditors, otherwise known as food safety inspectors, are experienced food safety professionals who inspect and evaluate food businesses based on their compliance with any food safety law.
Food safety auditors conduct objective assessments of food safety programs and regulations to ensure that food businesses offer safer food to consumers and protect public health from foodborne illnesses.
Food safety auditors have a deep and wide range of understanding of basic and advanced food safety rules. They must also undergo certification processes to obtain proof of their qualification.
Some auditors have already spent several years in the food industry and are very familiar with common mistakes. This makes them very hard to please at times.
In April 2024, the Think Tank on the Future of Food Safety Auditing wrapped up its activities, concluding that "the food and beverage industry must embrace and fast-track transformative change in food safety auditing practices."
Industry leaders are called upon to elevate safety protocols beyond simple compliance. It is essential to view food safety audits as evolving tools for continuous enhancement, not just as checklists for compliance. Integrating digital technologies will boost audit efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. Food safety auditing should shift from backward-looking to forward-thinking.
We urge companies and their stakeholders to work together to improve the governance of food safety auditing. This includes striving to harmonize audit schemes to eliminate inefficiencies and redundancies, and ensure that protocols are uniformly stringent and effective across all regions.
The role of a food safety auditor is crucial in ensuring that food businesses adhere to proper food safety procedures and comply with relevant regulations and standards.
They must also possess certain qualifications and certifications to perform their duties effectively.
In the United States, for example, food safety auditors may obtain certifications such as the Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor (CFSQA) or the HACCP Auditor certification. These certifications demonstrate that the auditor has the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate food safety practices and identify areas for improvement.
Auditors may also obtain certifications in specific areas, such as sanitation or quality control. For example, the Certified Sanitation Specialist (CSS) certification demonstrates that the auditor has expertise in sanitation and cleaning procedures, while the Certified Quality Control Specialist (CQCS) certification demonstrates expertise in quality control procedures.
In addition to certifications, food safety auditors must also possess certain skills and knowledge, including:
At the end of the day, food safety auditors are trained to become impartial in all their decisions. You will never have to worry if one is playing favorites. They are also mandated to exercise extreme professionalism when disclosing sensitive information about your food business and the results of your food safety audit.
Complying with food safety regulations means tons and tons of documents. Reports and documentation of your food production operations must be properly archived in an organized and clean manner. These documents must be complete and always be accessible for review and audit.
Food safety auditing tools can be applications, programs, or managing routines that can help you achieve a working food safety management system.
Nowadays, all of these auditing tools can be found in software that can help you store, manage, and verify all documents for your food safety management system.
Digital tools and software can help streamline the audit process, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
For example, digital audit-specific tools such as GoAudits or food safety management software with internal auditing features can help teams:
In addition to digital audit software, other technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning can also be used to improve food safety auditing. AI-powered tools, for example, can help to analyze data and identify patterns and trends, while machine learning algorithms can help to predict the likelihood of food safety risks. It all depends on the complexity and scope of your food safety operations.
The necessity of and reliance on will only to continue to rise — and that's a good thing. Leveraging technology and automation will help food safety auditors provide more effective and efficient audits so food businesses can improve their compliance with food safety regulations and standards.
Food safety audits are essential parts of the whole food supply chain. They promote a focus on improving your food safety practices and protecting public health from foodborne illnesses and related injuries. Being prepared is the best way to face food safety audits.
The key to a successful food safety audit is to do your food safety operations, monitoring, and documentation correctly every day.
To help you achieve this, our team of food safety experts has developed smart software designed for food businesses.
Use our Food Safety Management System Software to help you ace a food safety audit any time of the day.
Create, schedule, and manage food safety audits using our smart software.
Perform internal audits with digital Food Safety Audit Log templates that are customizable to fit your operations.
Users can also create personalized audit checklists from scratch that can be used internally to maintain food safety and prepare for a third-party or government-mandated food safety audit.
Choose from different scoring formats depending on how food safety audits are done in your location. Users can create "yes/no" checklists or scored questionnaires.
All auditing tasks can be done through our Food Safety App, which is compatible with any device.
Use our smart tools to remind your team to perform them monthly, annually, or quarterly.
Ensure that your team does not forget to conduct regular food safety audits and inspections using our smart notification system.
Set up the desired intervals for conducting audits when making your audit log. Users can select the audit frequency as either of the following:
Our system will automatically alert involved operators regarding an upcoming audit. With this feature, all employees will never forget to keep everything organized and always ready.
In addition, this notification system also works as a reminder for employees whenever there are food safety tasks due. Create a well-prepared and equipped team with the help of our smart tools.
At FoodDocs, we understand the diversity of food safety operations from one company to another. Each type of operation requires a different monitoring approach.
As such, our smart software highlights wide-ranging customizability features across our system. All automatically generated monitoring forms and checklists that are compatible with the nature of your food business can be fully customized after generating them.
Incorporate unique operations to monitor for an audit or a regular food safety task by simply editing the logs of your choice. Create new tasks or customize existing monitoring logs and checklists to fit your operations best.
All of these benefits can be accessible to your food safety audit team at the palm of your hand. Our system is compatible with any mobile device, such as cellular phones and tablets. Access all of your well-organized information for a food safety audit review and become ready for an onsite inspection by regularly conducting your internal verification programs with our help using your mobile phone. Every detail of a good food safety audit tool is present in our Food Safety Management System.
With an average of 15 minutes, you can easily switch all of your food safety management system tasks into our digital platform and start becoming more efficient.
Let us help you maintain your compliance with food safety laws and regulations so you can focus your attention on other important tasks. Easily tailor your food safety audit checklist by customizing your template to a standard food safety audit checklist. Maintain the highest standards of food safety audit throughout the year with our help.
Start your digital Food Safety Management System journey with our free 14-day free trial. Hurry and sign-up before your next food safety audit!
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