Preparation for a Third-Party Food Safety Audit

Preparing for a food safety inspection by a third-party auditor can be a daunting task for food safety managers. However, by following these step-by-step instructions, managers can effectively prepare for a successful audit.

Familiarize Yourself with the Applicable Standards and Schemes

The first step in preparing for a food safety inspection is to familiarize yourself with the applicable standards and schemes. Some common food safety standards and schemes include:

· BRC Global Standards: https://www.brcgs.com/

· International Featured Standards (IFS): https://www.ifs-certification.com/

· Safe Quality Food (SQF): https://www.sqfi.com/

· FSSC 22000: https://www.fssc22000.com/

· Global GAP: https://www.globalgap.org/

· PrimusGFS: https://primusgfs.com/

· American Institute of Baking (AIB): https://www.aibinternational.com/

· British Retail Consortium (BRC): https://www.brcgs.com/

· Safe Food Quality Institute (SFQI): https://www.safefoodquality.com/

· Silliker Global Certification Services: https://www.merieuxnutrisciences.com/us/certifications/silliker-global-certification-services

· AsureQuality: https://www.asurequality.com/

· NSF International: https://www.nsf.org/

· Eurofins Food Safety Certification: https://www.eurofins.com/food-safety/food-safety-certification/

Conduct a Self Assessment

The next step is to conduct a self-assessment of your facility's food safety practices. This assessment should identify any areas of non-compliance and opportunities for improvement. The self-assessment should be conducted based on the requirements of the applicable standard or scheme.

Develop an Action Plan

Based on the results of the self-assessment, the food safety manager should develop an action plan to address any areas of non-compliance and improve food safety practices. The action plan should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Implement the Action Plan

After developing the action plan, it is important to implement the plan and track progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the plan. This may involve making changes to food safety procedures, training employees, or investing in new equipment.

Conduct Internal Audits

Regular internal audits should be conducted to ensure that food safety practices are being followed and that the action plan is being implemented effectively. These audits should be conducted based on the requirements of the applicable standard or scheme.

Prepare Documentation

The food safety manager should ensure that all documentation required by the applicable standard or scheme is complete, up-to-date, and easily accessible. This may include records of training, internal audits, corrective actions, and other documentation.

Communicate with Employees

Effective communication with employees is critical to ensuring that food safety practices are followed consistently. The food safety manager should communicate the importance of food safety and the specific requirements of the applicable standard or scheme to all employees.

Prepare for the Audit

In the days leading up to the audit, the food safety manager should ensure that all necessary preparations have been made. This may include conducting a final self-assessment, ensuring that all documentation is in order, and communicating with employees about the audit.

Be Prepared for the Audit

On the day of the audit, the food safety manager should be prepared to provide the auditor with access to all relevant areas of the facility and documentation. The manager should also be prepared to answer any questions that the auditor may have and provide evidence of compliance with the applicable standard or scheme.

Address Non-Conformities

During the audit, the auditor may identify non-conformities with the applicable standard or scheme. The food safety manager should address these non-conformities promptly and develop a corrective action plan to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

Continuously Improve

After the audit is complete, the food safety manager should review the results and identify opportunities for improvement. Continuous improvement is essential to maintaining compliance with the applicable standard or scheme and ensuring that food safety practices remain effective over time.

Summary

Preparing for a food safety inspection by a third-party auditor requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following these step-by-step instructions, food safety managers can effectively prepare for an audit and demonstrate their commitment to food safety. Compliance with applicable standards and schemes is essential to protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses and maintaining the reputation of the organization.

Additionally, it is important to note that the specific requirements of each standard or scheme may vary based on the type of facility, products produced, and other factors. Therefore, it is important for food safety managers to thoroughly review and understand the requirements of the applicable standard or scheme and to ensure that all employees are trained on these requirements.

Furthermore, it may be helpful for food safety managers to attend training courses or seminars on the applicable standard or scheme to gain a better understanding of the requirements and best practices for compliance.

By following these step-by-step instructions and staying informed about the latest food safety practices and regulations, food safety managers can effectively prepare for a food safety inspection by a third-party auditor and ensure the safety of the food products produced in their facility.