Internal audits are essential to maintaining a company’s food safety and quality management systems. An internal audit is required as part of the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code requirements.
Internal audits aim to identify any potential non-conformities or areas for improvement within the company’s food safety and quality management systems. By conducting an internal audit, food facilities can proactively address any issues before they become a problem, ultimately reducing the risk of food safety incidents and ensuring the delivery of safe and high-quality products to consumers.Internal audits can also serve as a tool for continuous improvement within the company. By regularly reviewing and evaluating the company’s food safety and quality management systems, companies can identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions to address any non-conformities. This does not only helps to ensure compliance with the SQF Code requirements but also allows companies to enhance their overall food safety and quality management systems, ultimately leading to improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Establishing a Comprehensive Internal Audit Plan
Before conducting an internal audit, it is essential to establish a comprehensive audit plan that outlines the scope, objectives, and methodology of the audit. The internal audit plan should include a detailed schedule of activities, including document review, on-site auditing, and reporting. The plan should also identify the key personnel responsible for conducting the audit and define their roles and responsibilities. Additionally, the audit plan should specify the criteria for selecting audit samples and the methods for collecting and analyzing data.In establishing a comprehensive audit plan, it is important to consider the specific requirements of the SQF Code and any relevant regulatory standards. This may include identifying critical control points, conducting risk assessments, and evaluating the effectiveness of food safety and quality management systems.
An audit checklist will help guide your internal audit process and allow your internal audit to have a good point of reference for the requirements.
Internal Audit Techniques
Conducting Thorough Document Review
One of the key components of internal audits is conducting a thorough document review to assess the facility’s food safety and quality management systems. This involves reviewing various documents, such as policies, procedures, records, and other relevant documentation, to ensure compliance with the requirements of the SQF Code. During the document review process, your internal auditors should pay close attention to critical control points, hazard analysis, and risk assessment documentation to identify any potential non-conformities or areas for improvement.Remember, we need to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and not just performing a checklist audit.This may involve evaluating the implementation of corrective actions, monitoring and verification procedures, and employee training programs.
This will help us gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of our food safety and quality management systems, ultimately leading to more informed decision-making and improved operational performance.
Implementing Effective On-Site Auditing Techniques
In addition to document review, on-site auditing is a critical component of internal audits. During on-site audits, internal auditors shall use effective techniques to assess the facility’s food safety and quality management systems in action. This may involve observing production processes, interviewing employees, and inspecting facilities. Observe critical control points, sanitation practices, and employee hygiene to identify any potential non-conformities or areas for improvement.To implement effective on-site auditing techniques, our internal auditors should be well-trained and knowledgeable about the specific requirements of the SQF Code. They should also be able to communicate effectively with employees to gather relevant information and observations. Speak in the same language or obtain assistance from a translator can help you gather the right information from the staff.
Identifying Non-Conformities and Corrective Actions
During internal audits, it is important to identify any non-conformities or areas for improvement within the company’s food safety and quality management systems. This may include deficiencies in documentation, deviations from established procedures, or lapses in compliance with regulatory requirements. Once non-conformities are identified, it is essential to implement corrective actions to address these issues and prevent their recurrence in the future.When identifying non-conformities, we should prioritize those that pose the greatest risk to food safety and quality. This may involve conducting risk assessments and evaluating the potential impact of non-conformities on product safety and consumer health. Once non-conformities are identified, the food facility should develop and implement corrective actions to address these issues in a timely manner. This may involve revising procedures, providing additional training to employees, or making physical changes to facilities or equipment.
Creating a Detailed Internal Audit Report
After completing internal audits, it is essential to create a detailed audit report that summarizes the findings and recommendations from the audit process. The audit report should include a comprehensive overview of the audit scope, objectives, methodology, and key findings. It should also provide a detailed analysis of non-conformities identified during the audit, along with recommendations for corrective actions to address these issues.In creating a detailed audit report, it is important to communicate findings in a clear and concise manner that is easily understood by all stakeholders within the organization.
The report should also include evidence-based observations and data to support the findings and recommendations. Remember to review the effectiveness of your corrective actions.
As well, internal audit result and observation must be reviewed during management meeting.
Utilizing Audit Findings for Continuous Improvement
The findings from internal audits can be used as valuable insights for driving continuous improvement within the company’s food safety and quality management systems. By analyzing audit findings, food facilities can identify trends, patterns, and recurring issues that may indicate systemic problems within their operations. This may involve conducting root cause analysis to understand the underlying factors contributing to non-conformities and developing strategies for preventing their recurrence in the future.In addition to addressing specific non-conformities, we can use audit findings to identify opportunities for enhancing our overall food safety and quality management systems. This may involve revising procedures, implementing new technologies or equipment, or providing additional training to employees.
The Benefit of Running Proper Internal Audit
Ultimately, internal audits are an essential tool for upholding your food safety program standard. When you have the right internal audit procedures and findings completed, you reduce the risk of non-compliance for an actual SQF audit. Further, improving your SQF audit score.
No Time or Resources for Internal Audits? We Can Help!
If your team struggles to perform internal audits, you’re not alone. Many businesses turn to third-party consultants for internal audits. While your actual auditor can’t perform the audit due to conflict of interest, a qualified consultant can ensure that your systems are reviewed thoroughly and accurately.
At SFPM Consulting, we specialize in internal audits for food safety programs like SQF. Our expert team can help you maintain compliance, improve food safety practices, and achieve better audit results.
Contact us at 1-236-513-2488 to schedule an internal audit today
