A global food maker, a developer of certified audit programs and consultants discuss non-regulatory onsite plant audits and how they improve food safety, customer compliance and food quality.
Plant audits are more rigorous and comprehensive than ever before, whether they are executed internally or conducted by a third party. The diversity of audit types—from single-day plant assessments that feel like a check of GMPs to multi-day inspections that take the plumbing, products and people into account—can be confusing, if a food or beverage plant is not prepared.
Industry experts say a more collaborative effort is required for a facility to pass audit evaluations. And knowing what an auditor will look for or the type of questions he or she is likely to ask can help a company prove to current or potential customers that its operations are sound.