The internal audit checklist every food manufacturer needs
A field-tested internal audit checklist covering HACCP, prerequisites, traceability and documentation — plus how to write findings auditors take seriously.
Why internal audits fail
Most internal audits fail not because of the checklist but because of how findings are written. 'Cleaning was poor' is not a finding. 'Cleaning record CL-04 was not completed for 14 March, against SOP-CL-01 clause 4.2' is.
What to cover, and how often
HACCP review (annual), prerequisites (quarterly), traceability test (every 6 months), document control (annual), and a rolling sample of production records every month.
Author
TFCG Editorial Team
Food safety practitioners
- Chartered CIEH members
- BRCGS Approved Trainers
- Lead Auditors
Chartered food safety practitioners and former technical managers with hands-on UK manufacturing, catering and retail experience. Every article is technically reviewed before publication.
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