FOOD SAFETY - FOOD AUDITORS 10 9 FOOD SAFETY Food Auditor Audits play an integral role in verifying proper food safety practices at food and beverage processing facilities. Food safety audits are systematic, independent and documented process used to validate the safety of food manufacturing facilities and their processes. They are used to determine if food is manufactured in a safe environment and if hazards are properly identified, controlled or eliminated. Food auditors are like the restaurant inspectors of the manufacturing world. They go in and inspect establishments to see if they are preparing food in a safe way. This profession is integral to the food supply chain and as more food facilities continue to open worldwide there is an increasing demand for auditors. 1. Food Auditors Audit Food Manufacturing Plants A food auditor is a professional who performs food safety audits on client organizations to ensure food safety standards are upheld. They verify and document evidence of compliance and non-compliance and write comprehensive reports on audit findings. When corrective actions are identified, they communicate with quality control and assist in the management of addressing any appeals. Finally, they educate and train client employees on food safety practices. In addition to evaluating food safety itself, food auditors will audit a manufacturing plant and ensure that they have proper systems in place for evaluating the facility, identifying issues and taking corrective actions. They want to make sure that even if an audit is not being performed, the company is able to take corrective actions on their own. For example, an auditor may find that there are no temperature controls in a transportation vehicle. The auditor will look to the quality department and ask why have they not created a system to identify the error. Once identified the problem it must be addressed and proper measures put in place. 2. Food Auditors Frequently Travel Some food auditors can expect to travel 80% or more of their time. They perform frequent and overnight travel, with some of these trips taking them around the country and the world. Audits can last days at a time, so auditors need to be comfortable being away from home for a few days at a time. Although minor, these professionals are usually responsible for finding their own accommodations (this is covered by the company). 3. Food Auditors Have Industry Experience Food auditing is not a career that a new graduate can jump into right out of the gate. All food auditors must start with hands-on training in a quality-related role like quality control or quality assurance for at least 3-5 years. In addition to work experience, food auditors generally have university degrees in science. Examples include food science, chemistry, biology and microbiology. These degrees provide a solid foundation for when students enter the industry. A degree in the sciences allows food auditors to first begin their careers in quality departments at manufacturing plants. In some rare cases, food auditors may only have a high school diploma but extensive work experience in quality control and assurance allows them to overcome this hurdle. However, this is becoming less common, as the need for education is pushing the demand forward. The best food auditors are those who have been mentored or trained by other food auditors. Auditors trained by a mentor have a better grasp of audit planning, interviewing techniques, document review and evaluating corrective actions focused on risk. Doing so Food Auditor Verifying proper safety practices at food and beverage facilities “I saw a chance to finally release the hidden travel bug and combine it with a service that provided real value to the global food industry,” an excerpt from the blog “My Ticket to The World.” Click the photo to read all about it!
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