Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan the audit
- An audit plan is developed to meet the audit scope
- The plan is capable of delivering the required outcomes within resource and time allocations
- Plan includes audit purpose, scope and relevant templates or approved food safety program
- Activities and responsibilities for the audit are identified
- Audit timing (as required by legislation and/or client) is identified including timetable for each stage of the audit
- Resource, personnel and reporting requirements are identified
- Follow up and completion procedures are identified
- Communication protocols are identified and established to facilitate the effective exchange of information and suited to the auditee environment
- Confirm that the food business has documented required preliminary work
- Confirm the food safety program is supported by a tool or template or has been validated
- The documented food safety program and related procedures and prerequisite programs are assessed to confirm that they have a prescriptive tool or have been validated by a technical expert
- The food business method of identifying and analysing food safety hazards is reviewed
- Templates or the approved food safety program are correctly selected to meet audit scope
- Templates or the approved food safety program are appropriately adapted to suit the needs of the business without adversely affecting food safety
- Documented verification records are reviewed to confirm that the requirements of the food safety program are being met
- Corrective actions required where processes are identified as not meeting targets or critical limits are assessed to confirm they meet the requirements of the template or food safety program
- Food safety prerequisite programs are assessed to confirm they are appropriate for the food business/industry sector to maintain a safe food environment
- Food safety program documents are reviewed to confirm currency, accuracy and adequacy to facilitate maintenance of an adequate food safety program
- Collect evidence to review and assess implementation of food safety programs
- Evidence is collected to confirm that documented programs and procedures are working effectively, reflect actual practice and are consistently applied
- Evidence is collected to confirm that food safety monitoring and corrective actions are carried out according to procedure
- Evidence is collected to confirm that safety prerequisite programs are effective and consistently followed
- Evidence is collected to confirm that food safety records are completed and provide an accurate record of events
- Evidence is collected to confirm that records are accessed and analysed to confirm effective program maintenance in accordance with the template or food safety program
- Evidence is collected to confirm that food safety skills and knowledge of food business personnel is commensurate with their work role
- Evidence is collected to confirm that the food safety program has been internally monitored and assessed, updated and improved by a technical expert
- Manage the audit process
- Audit progress is monitored against the audit plan and any variation to plan is identified and addressed
- Circumstances requiring the audit plan to be adjusted are identified and negotiated in a timely manner
- Audits address audit scope and are conducted within time and resource constraints to meet quality and professional standards
- The audit process is reviewed to identify opportunities for improvement
- Consolidate audit outcomes
- Audit evidence is analysed and assessed to identify any areas of non-compliance with legislation and/or the food safety program
- Non-conformities are identified and classified as agreed by the audit plan
- Non-conformities are reported in accordance with agreed client and/or legislative requirements
- Audit reports and/or certificates are prepared and submitted or presented as required to meet regulatory and client requirements
- A corrective action implementation plan defining proposed actions and timelines developed by the auditee is reviewed by the auditor to confirm that template or food safety program requirements are met
- Audit findings are reviewed to confirm that evidence is sufficient as defined by the template or approved food safety program
- Confirm and close out corrective actions