[AIB Up Front] Providing Confidence in Food Safety Programs

I have a major concern with the ongoing interest in developing an audit scheme that is accepted globally by all stakeholders (retailers, food service, food processors and producers) to ensure confidence in our food safety programs. How do we verify that the audited programs are working and protecting our products and consumers?

Many audit schemes available today are essentially the same. This should not come as a surprise because the food industry has a very good understanding of what is needed. Our experience and understanding of food technology and food safety continues to greatly improve and the basic elements from the GMPs and HACCP prerequisites are well understood. My concern is whether any of these schemes provides confidence in the marketplace when burdened by variables, such as due diligence, that sometimes limit their value. Confidence can only be achieved when we are sure that written programs are being practiced in the plant.

Another issue is a shared understanding of best practices throughout all cultures and regions of the world. A few years ago, I visited a plant that claimed to have the best sanitation and cleaning programs in the world. They proudly displayed their audit and ISO certificates. Even their suppliers and customers testified about how clean this facility was. As I walked through the facility, I realized that the cleaning programs were purely cosmetic and I knew my inspection results would be far from their expectations. I explained that although this was one of the cleanest plants I had visited, they needed to implement a higher standard to remain competitive in the global market.

During the inspection, I kept referring to their quality and food safety manuals. While they had all the necessary records and elements in place, the level of cleaning and equipment maintenance was not at the standard required to protect the products and ensure food safety. I explained that certification and ISO audits are worth nothing if employees don’t understand best practices and implement these levels of compliance from the plant floor to the manager’s office.

As we progress to a universally accepted global food safety audit scheme, it’s critical that we make sure the end goal is to provide consumers and the market with confidence in our products. Any universal audit scheme must not only ensure that the manuals and programs are well-written and documented, but that the food safety standards and best practices are implemented at all plant levels. This is the only way to provide our customers with confidence in our food safety programs.

The author is Vice President of Food Safety Education, AIB International.