Saturday, April 2, 2016

Why Is a Food Safety Audit Important?


Food safety audits are required for companies in the food manufacturing and processing industry. Generally, such examinations must be carried out by a third-party, or an independent inspector. However, these inspections are not for the compliance of legislative policies for food manufacturers. An examination of this nature is voluntary. It basically depends on the judgment of the company owner or manufacturer if they wish to go through the process. However, there are instances when a food safety audit is necessary.

Companies can voluntarily submit to examinations that involve inspection of facilities, equipment, and procedures. An audit could be a key to discover flaws in the process and faults in the equipment units. Early voluntary inspection allows food manufacturers to prepare for the compliance inspection, conducted by a government agency. The government imposes strict sanitation guidelines for food manufacturing and processing companies. Any food manufacturing and processing plant must be organized and uncontaminated. Audits in the food industry may be implemented during the manufacture or production, packaging, and distribution.

To ensure the validity of the audit, third-party inspector services would have to be obtained. During the inspection, a team of employees may have to accompany the examining personnel, not only to guide the inspectors, but also to learn pointers from them. This could be treated as training for the workers. The assessment is actually an opportunity for your company to take note of the ideal practices in manufacturing. Pointers taken from the inspecting team can be used for the benefit of your company in the long run. Such pointers can be used to improve facility and to develop better production methods.

An independent inspector will look at your work site differently, and they would notice things that you might have neglected inadvertently. They may provide accurate assessment of the working conditions present in your establishment. Generally, the assessment serves to make your company's working conditions better and ensures better quality of your products.

One of the most important outcomes of third-party examination is the evaluation of sanitary conditions, which are extremely important in any type of food business. Companies in the meat, fish, poultry, fruit, and vegetable industry can take advantage of third-party inspection. Sanitation inspectors can point out possible unhealthful practices in your manufacturing procedures. They may also point out possible contamination of equipment by using instruments.

Independent assessors may suggest the need for services of a food safety cleaning company. However, companies in the food industry should conduct regular cleaning and sanitation in their production facility to ensure manufactured food products are uncontaminated.

Food safety audits should determine possible problems in the preparation, production, and packaging of food products. Identification of the problems at any stage of the process is the first step in solving problems and upholding of product quality. The audit team should consist of sanitary specialists, microbiologists, and epidemiologists. The validity of an examination can only be ascertained if it is carried out randomly.

Food manufacturers should look for independent food safety auditors with a good track record. There are third-party food plant inspectors out there but look for the ones with good reputation, and with the appropriate background in food plant and product assessment.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Cedric_P_Loiselle/865883

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6870047

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