Food safety must be a top priority for your food business. Every year, thousands of people get sick from foodborne illnesses. This is why food safety audits are so important. They help to ensure that food is safe for customers and free from harmful hazards.

What is a food safety audit?

A food safety audit is an in depth inspection of a food manufacturing or catering business. It’s purpose is to ensure that the business is complying with all the relevant food safety and allergen regulations and good practice standards.

Audits are conducted by qualified auditors or consultants who may be EHOs but should be trained to identify potential risks and hazards in food production and handling.

Why are food safety audits important?

Firstly, they help to ensure that food is safe to eat, by identifying potential hazards and risks such as cross contamination or poor temperature control, auditors can help prevent food borne illnesses from happening.

Secondly, they check that food businesses are complying with the relevant food safety regulations and standards, including the structure of the walls, floors, ceilings, ventilation, drainage, waste management as well as the safe handling of food. This helps to protect consumers and maintain public trust in the food industry.

Finally, they can help food premises to identify areas where they can improve their processes and procedures. This can lead to better efficiency and productivity, as well as improved food safety.

How are food safety audits carried out?

Audits are typically carried out by third-party auditors who are trained and have auditing or food safety inspection qualifications and experience. The advantage they have from being a member of staff in the business is they can provide a fresh pair of eyes and a new perspective.

Auditors will visit the food premise and check all of the areas related to food production, including storage and service of food. They will also check handling of food, handwashing and staff cleanliness as well as practices such as cleaning practices, pest control measures, food shelf-life labelling, temperature control and management of allergens.

During the audit, they will review documents and records related to food safety and allergens, inspect the premises for potential hazards, and chat to employees to ensure that they are trained to handle food safely. Finally they will provide a report detailing their findings with photos of non compliances, and make recommendations for improvement.

An audit provides the food business with the information they need to address any issues identified at the time of the audit and implement corrective actions to make sure they don’t happen again.

This can help businesses to make sure they achieve a consistently good standard and when inspected by their local authority are awarded a level 5 or ‘Very Good’ food hygiene rating .

An essential part of your food safety tool box

Food safety audits are a critical part of any food business owner’s toolbox. They help to ensure that the food they are making is safe for customers every day they are trading and to maintain public trust in their business and the food industry as a whole.

Remember that a 3rd party audit will only give a snap shot of standards at the time of the audit. It is also important for managers to do a weekly spot check and for staff to complete monitoring checks such as cleaning schedules, opening and closing checks every day.