Serie de auditorías SQF: descripción general

Each SQF audit covers a broad range of topics including management training, crisis prevention to equipment handling and sanitation. An SQF auditor will likely spend several days reviewing historical data and documentation, and conducting a visual walk-through of the plant, as well as interviewing plant employees.

The specific components of an SQF audit depend on which type of SQF certification the business is seeking. The three levels of SQF certification are:

• SQF Food Safety Fundamentals

• SQF Food Safety Code

• SQF Quality Code

How often does an SQF audit occur?

The cadence of an SQF audit is dependent on which program the business is following and, ultimately, which certification is being sought.

 This chart shows the different types of SQF codes a business can be certified for and the Food Sector Categories relevant to each. You'll see this chart reappear on each SQF Audit page with a yellow box surrounding the area that page is addressing.

How do I prepare for SQF Audits?

1. Identify a designated SQF Practitioner within your business to read and understand the latest SQF Code appropriate to your segment in the food supply chain.

2. Register in the SQF database.

3. Identify which of the SQF certifications your business is seeking.

4. Develop and establish a HACCP-based food safety plan to mitigate food safety and quality hazards. A strong foundation here lays the groundwork for the particular certification you are seeking.

5. Establish food safety monitoring through consistent internal audits and maintain a record of results.

6. Outline your organization’s competencies and determine training requirements for SQF certification based on the audit results.

7. Ensure competency needs are met and that all parties involved are kept in the loop.

8. Partner with a third-party auditor for SQF certification.

How can I be 'Audit Ready' at all times?

• Avoid using paper and pencil for documentation. Technology is your friend here!

• Move to a digital system to prevent lost records. This also makes the auditor's life easier and allows them to more easily refer back and review prior work.

• Conduct your own mini internal compliance audits on a weekly basis. Enforce required fields and ensure that SOP are clearly posted and fully understood. If in doubt, explain and clarify.

Common Minor SQF Audit Infractions

While it's important to get as high a score as possible on all areas of the audit, infractions will happen. Minor infractions are less impactful to the overall audit score than major infractions, and are common errors that can trip up even the most well prepared business.  The top 5 most common minor SQF infractions are noted below along with their accompanying reference number within The SQF Code, Edition 8.1.

1. Food Defense (2.7.1.3)
   Challenge Test and Plan Review Annually

2. Equipment, Utensils & Protective Clothing (11.2.9.2)
   Equipment and Utensil Condition

3. Staff Engaged In Food Handling (11.4.1.1)
   Product Handling, Off Floor, Traffic, Waste, Eating

4. Food Safety Plan (2.4.3.7)
   Flow Diagram Completely and FST Verification

5. Cleaning and Sanitation (11.2.13.1)
   Program, Procedures and Effectiveness Verification

What to do if you've failed an audit?

• Most audit infractions are minor and can be addressed with a prompt remediation.

• Follow up with your auditor on action plans shortly after your SQF audit and work closely with your in-house SQF Practitioner to ensure follow through with that plan.

SQF Audit Info and Checklists To Prepare Your Facility

SQF Fundamentals Program

Attribution: The resources presented here were sourced from the SQF Institute. For additional reading, tools and context please visit them here.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL OR HEALTH ADVICE
The information contained on this website and on any of the sites or locations linked below is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or health advice. UpKeep does not recommend or endorse any specific protocol, opinions, or other information that may be accessed on or via this website. Reliance on any of this information is solely at your own risk.