Audit anticipation
Reviewing everyday food safety risks
From farm to fork , many food safety assurance systems rely on robust Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point ( HACCP ) programmes . But , how do you verify that the steps you ’ ve taken to ensure conformance to food safety standards are working ? Can you wait until the next periodic audit , or should you act sooner ?
Successful , industry-leading food manufacturers don ’ t wait for a crisis to happen before taking steps to improve their food safety culture . They regularly use audits to identify gaps and potential risks and verify the effectiveness of their internal controls to strengthen customer trust and satisfaction . Performed internally , or by a knowledgeable food safety consultant , a typical audit review can last up to three hours – dependent on the organisation ’ s size . A well-structured review can reveal the respective strengths and weaknesses of food processing practices , keeping unforeseen conformity surprises from adding further disruptive pressures to already complex , and sometimes fragile , food supply chains .
INSPECTION OR AUDIT : KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
The distinction between a food inspection and a food safety audit can get clouded . In food safety circles especially , the two terms are frequently interchangeable . They both help to improve operational performance . And they both assess conformance to set standards . There are , however , subtle differences .
A food safety audit is a systematic evaluation of food factory documentation to determine if food safety practices , programmes and related activities , including procedures and record keeping , are meeting expectations . Generally , an auditor looks at
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Food safety audits are used by processors to identify gaps and potential risks and verify the effectiveness of internal controls .
Poor record-keeping and non-compliance with established Food Safety Plans are some of the top reasons that food and beverage manufacturers fail their audits .
data over a period of time to see if positive or negative trends are developing .
Food safety inspections , on the other hand , provide a thorough physical review of a food facility to assess what is actually happening in production during a precise moment in time . This snapshot – typically lasting between two and four days – gives a realistic assessment of conditions . These can be both positive and negative .
When inspecting a Critical Control Point ( CCP ), an inspector may look for any potential contaminant events that if left unaddressed could prompt an investigation . When conducting an audit , qualified personnel will review the effectiveness of a HACCP plan and ensure it is being implemented correctly .
The Food Standards Agency evaluates the effectiveness of the official audit controls systems managed by enforcement officers and local authorities in England , Wales and Northern Ireland . Although food safety audits are not a legal requirement , by conducting internal or external audits , food processors can be assured their processes are conforming to these defined food safety standards .
FAILING IS PART OF THE PLAN
Any failure can feel like the end of the road . However , in audit terms , a non-conformance issue simply notifies a food processor that something needs to be addressed in order to comply with food safety rules , regulations and supplier contractual obligations .
Poor record-keeping and noncompliance with established Food Safety Plans are some of