Lesson 2: Regulatory Agencies, Accreditation Bodies and Auditing Considerations
Regulatory Bodies
There are several government agencies involved in regulating food safety. The FDA, USDA, and CDC exist at the federal level. Other bodies may be involved at the state and local levels. Click through each option below for more information.
Accreditation Bodies
Accreditation bodies audit facilities to a specific Standard
- Accreditation bodies conduct regular visits to certification organizations, and observe their staff conducting food safety audits to ensure that both the organization and its staff maintain competence in their operations.
- Examples of Accreditation Bodies (not a complete list)
- SQF – SQF (Safe Quality Food) audits to SQF standards
- BRCGS – BRCGS will audit to BRC standards (British Retail Consortium Global Standard)
- FSSC 22000 – FSSC 2200 certifies companies to be in compliance with ISO 22000. ISO is the International Organization of Standards
Certification Bodies
Certification Bodies are organizations that have been accredited for a sector and can provide compliance certificates.
- Certification bodies are licensed by Accreditation Bodies to conduct audits and issue the certificate of certification for a specific Accreditation Body.
- Certification bodies are the businesses that employ the auditors that conduct site audits.
- Certification bodies hire Auditors to certify food production facilities to specific accreditation standards.
- An example, Food Safety Net Services is licensed and accredited to audit to SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000 standards and issue certifications to food production facilities.
Auditing Considerations
Audits………
- can be in-house or third-party food safety audits
- often are required by major food and food service retailers
- provide accurate assessments of the plant’s operations, written programs and records as related to food safety.
National Food Processors Association
- launched the SAFE (Supplier Audit for Food Excellence) program
- developed an audit checklist
- SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification integrates food safety and food quality into one program
SQF Example of Auditing Considerations
- SQF certification links agriculture production, suppliers, food manufacturing, and distribution
- Audits are conducted by 3rd parties certified by Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI)
- Click each of the tabs to learn more about SQF
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Auditing Considerations – Categories
Broad Auditing Categories
- Food safety/quality organization and responsibilities
- Food safety, quality policies, and procedures
- Specific training goals and programs for management and operating personnel
- Identified HACCP team and effective HACCP plan
Auditing Considerations – Categories
More Broad Auditing Categories
- Comprehensive recall plan and procedures
- Regulatory compliance standard
- Document and records management
- Change management and emergency management programs
- Documentation to tracking effectiveness of policies
- Management awareness and commitment to food safety and quality
How to prepare for an audit?
Click through the steps below for more information.
Key Takeaways
- Quality Assurance: Role in Sanitation Programs, Auditing, and Verification
- Quality Assurance seeks to prevent issues rather than respond to them.
- A strong QA program is critical to a company’s accreditation and certification.
- Regulatory Agencies, Accreditation Bodies, and Auditing Considerations
- The regulatory agencies, FDA, USDA/FSIS, and the CDC work with accrediting and certification bodies to ensure high quality standards for food production.