Who This Service Is For
This service is suitable for food businesses preparing for Food Control Plan verification, National Programme verification, My Food Plan verification, RMP verification, WSMP verification, MPI-related audits or compliance checks, customer audits, supplier audits, internal audits, ISO audits, BRCGS audits, SQF audits, retailer or buyer audits, follow-up audits after non-conformances, and corrective action close-out.
Records to Prepare Before a Food Safety Audit
Before an audit or verification, your business should prepare relevant documents and records. Useful records may include your registration certificate, current plan or programme, food safety procedures, daily monitoring records, temperature records, cooking/cooling/reheating records, cleaning and sanitising records, allergen management records, supplier approval records, receiving records, traceability records, recall test records, staff training records, pest control records, maintenance records, calibration records, customer complaint records, corrective action records, internal audit records, and previous audit or verification reports.
Common Gaps Found Before Audits
- Missing or incomplete records
- Records completed incorrectly
- Procedures not matching actual practices
- Staff not aware of food safety responsibilities
- Corrective actions not closed
- Previous audit findings not followed up
- Traceability or recall not tested
- Allergen controls not clearly documented
- Supplier records missing
- Calibration records unavailable
- Cleaning records incomplete
- Internal audits not completed
Staff Preparation Before an Audit
Staff should understand the food safety practices that apply to their role. Auditors or verifiers may ask staff questions or observe how procedures are followed. We can help staff understand handwashing and hygiene expectations, cleaning and sanitising responsibilities, temperature control checks, allergen controls, date marking and stock rotation, corrective action process, and traceability and recall awareness.
Corrective Action Preparation
If your business has previous non-conformances or audit findings, it is important to close them properly before the next audit. We can help by reviewing the finding, identifying root cause, preparing corrective action plans, updating procedures, completing missing records where appropriate, providing staff refresher guidance, and preparing close-out evidence.
Benefits of Food Safety Audit Preparation
- Identify gaps before the audit
- Improve records and procedures
- Prepare staff for auditor questions
- Close previous corrective actions
- Improve audit confidence
- Reduce repeated non-conformances
- Strengthen food safety systems
- Prepare for certification or customer requirements
Our Process
Initial Discussion
We discuss your business type, audit date, audit standard, previous findings and what support you need.
Document and Record Request
We request relevant procedures, records, previous audit reports and evidence to review before the audit.
Gap Assessment
We review your documents, records and systems to identify potential gaps before the auditor arrives.
Practical Action Plan
We provide a clear action plan explaining what needs to be corrected, updated or prepared.
Staff and Site Readiness
Where needed, we can review staff practices, provide practical guidance and help staff understand what may be checked during the audit.
Evidence Preparation
We help identify what evidence may be needed to demonstrate that food safety requirements are being followed.
Follow-Up Support
We can provide follow-up support before the audit or after the audit if corrective actions are raised.
Preparing for a Food Safety Audit or Verification?
Contact us today for free initial guidance. We can help you understand what to prepare, what records may be needed and what gaps should be addressed before your audit.