The primary goal of a FSMA internal audit is to proactively identify and address potential food safety hazards and deficiencies in a company's food safety management system before they are discovered by regulatory authorities or third-party auditors.
Scope:
- FSMA internal audits cover a wide range of areas, including:
- Written food safety plans: Assessing the adequacy and implementation of the company's HACCP plan, preventive controls, and other relevant food safety plans.
- Sanitation and hygiene: Evaluating the effectiveness of sanitation practices, pest control, and other hygiene measures.
- Employee training and hygiene: Verifying that employees are adequately trained on food safety procedures and that they adhere to hygiene standards.
- Supplier verification: Ensuring that suppliers meet the company's food safety requirements.
- Traceability: Confirming the ability to track products from raw materials to finished goods.
- Documentation and record-keeping: Checking the accuracy and completeness of all food safety records.
Frequency:
- FSMA does not specify a frequency for internal audits, but companies should conduct them regularly enough to ensure ongoing compliance and to prepare for mandatory third-party audits.
Benefits:
- Preparation for third-party audits: Internal audits help companies identify and correct issues before they are discovered by external auditors, increasing the likelihood of a successful audit.
- Compliance with FSMA: Regular internal audits help ensure that the company is meeting all relevant FSMA requirements.
- Continuous improvement: Internal audits provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the food safety management system, allowing companies to make necessary improvements.
- Due diligence: Conducting internal audits demonstrates a commitment to food safety and due diligence in the eyes of regulators and customers.
Relationship to Third-Party Audits:
- While FSMA does not mandate internal audits, they are a critical component of preparing for and successfully navigating third-party audits required by the FSMA rules on Accredited Third-Party Certification.
Regulatory Audits:
- FSMA also includes regulatory audits conducted by the FDA or other designated agencies. These audits are unannounced and focus on assessing compliance with FSMA regulations.