I\u2019m sure I\u2019m not the only one who feels a sudden twinge of panic when someone you\u2019re not expecting decides to drop in on you. You rush around tidying papers, shoving things in cupboards, plumping up cushions, closing the door to the kitchen and hoping against hope that they don\u2019t ask to use the bathroom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this instance the only consequence you\u2019ll suffer is initial acute embarrassment that your house isn\u2019t as clean and tidy as you\u2019d wish. You\u2019ll probably mutter something along the lines of \u201cSorry it\u2019s a bit of a tip. I\u2019ve been so busy this week that I haven\u2019t had chance to clean.\u201d Your friend\/acquaintance will say \u201cDon\u2019t worry\u201d and that will be the end of the matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately being \u2018too busy\u2019 isn\u2019t a good enough excuse if an auditor makes an unannounced visit to your company\u2019s premises. Whilst the majority of companies still opt for an announced audit, surely it\u2019s in everyone\u2019s interests to ensure that they are audit-ready at any given time? Not only will this reduce the chance of product recalls and the associated expense\/ loss of confidence (it took just one month for UK sales of frozen beef burgers to plummet by 43% following news of \u2018Horsegate.\u2019) it will also improve safety, efficiency and, of course, significantly reduce the chance of external audit failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously non-compliance varies from company to company, but the most common reasons are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Human error<\/strong> – everyone needs to understand the importance of food safety and the reasons why procedures need to be adhered to at all times \u2013 even during busy periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compliance failure<\/strong> – making sure that your systems are compliant is more important than getting product out of the door. Non-compliance can equal product recalls or shut-downs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HACCP failure<\/strong> \u2013 documentation needs to be complete and current. HACCP systems need to be validated and verified on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insufficient supplier control<\/strong> \u2013 you need to ensure that your suppliers pass muster too \u2013 especially in terms of guarding against potential contamination or food fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being disorganised<\/strong> \u2013 not being able to produce accurate, up-to-date information on your systems and processes will not win you any favours with an auditor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Staff hygiene<\/strong> \u2013 Even if all other systems are ship-shape, bad staff personal hygiene<\/a> can cause contamination. Very recently almost 2,000 people in the Philippines were hospitalised with vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea, after eating fruit flavoured sweets believed to be contaminated with bacteria from workers\u2019 dirty hands and sweaty armpits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take the first step to ensuring that your company is audit-ready by attending our next Auditing Skills<\/a> and Supplier Auditing courses.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n