How Often Should a HACCP Audit be Carried Out?

HACCP audits are only obligatory once every year, but the frequency can vary. Internal audit can be done on a monthly/quarterly basis, where an external audit is typically done once a year, with high-risk operations or significant changes. Changes like new ingredients, new equipment, complaints, etc., provoke more frequent checks (quarterly, monthly, etc.) to ensure compliance and food safety continuity.

The best practice is to update the HACCP audit more often. But it mostly depends on some factors. So, in this article, we will answer your question on how often should a HACCP audit be carried out? We will also learn about the many types of HACCP audits and their importance. The HACCP certification process and how you can pass it will be discussed as well. 

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What is a HACCP audit?

There are mainly two types of HACCP audits. One is, internal audit, and the other is an external audit. An internal audit by the business is conducted monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually and is aimed at monitoring and taking corrective measures. External audit is carried out by a third party or regulators, usually every year or every two years, to justify the system

HACCP audits are assessments of a business’s food safety system. The primary goal of the audit is to confirm that the business is reviewing food safety risks in its process. It helps businesses to:

• Prevent contamination
• Maintain product safety
• Comply with regulatory
• Meet industry standards

How often should a HACCP audit be carried out?

A HACCP audit should be conducted at least once a year. Though a minimum of once a year is needed, the duration can vary by the business’s risk level, past incidents, customer demand, and changes to process.   

Other Types of HACCP Audits

There are many types of HACCP audits. Among them, some of the other audits are:

• Certification audit
• Customer audit
• Regulatory audit
• Supplier audit

Internal HACCP audit

The purpose of an internal HACCP audit is to ensure that the staff are working properly on food hygiene. It helps in ensuring that hazards are managed and crucial control points are observed. 

These audits are typically performed:

• Monthly
• Quarterly or 
• Semi-annually 

It helps to identify concerns early and prepare for outside audits. It assists the company in maintaining food safety and eventually reducing its operations.

External HACCP audit

Usually, an external HACCP audit is done to check if business food follows the HACCP plan or not. These types of audits are performed annually. It focuses on reviewing the HACCP system and everything related to it. External audits provide an impartial evaluation. Overall, external audits help to ensure that business foods are meeting safety standards.

Certification audit

A certification HACCP audit checks if a business meets the requirements for an ISO 22000 accreditation. A recognised organisation performs it once a year or every 18 months. The audit checks the company’s HACCP plan and safety procedures to ensure they meet the certification standards.

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Customer audit

The business’s client performs a customer HACCP audit to ensure that the vendor follows proper food safety and hygiene actions, such as a food hygiene information scheme. It determines if the supplier’s HACCP plan satisfies the client’s standards. It, like the other audits, is carried out on a yearly basis or as requested by the customer. The goal is to ensure that food items are safe and match client expectations.

Regulatory audit

Government agencies typically conduct regulatory HACCP audits to ensure that businesses adhere to local food safety regulations. These audits are typically performed once a year or as needed by law. It helps to determine whether the company’s HACCP plan and actions are in accordance with food safety requirements or not.

Supplier audit

A supplier audit checks the supplier’s food safety practices. It ensures that the supplier’s HACCP plan fulfils safety standards. It is usually performed once a year or as agreed upon in the supplier’s contract.

Why are HACCP audits important?

Let’s explore the core reasons why we need HACCP audits!

1. Ensures Food Safety and Public Health

Recognises and manages biological, chemical and physical risks and prevents foodborne diseases as well as consumer protection.

2. Guarantees Regulatory Compliance

Assists companies in complying with the laws and regulations in the country and overseas on food safety (such as FDA FSMA requirements) and prevents fines and court cases.

3. Develops Consumer and Stakeholder Trust

Shows great concern with safety, growing customer, retailer and regulator confidence.

4. Enhances Operations and Efficiency

Streamlines operations, cuts down wastage and rework and promotes a proactive food safety culture among employees.

5. Gives Competitive Advantage

Opens up new markets, reinforces supply chains, and improves business brands, which makes businesses more appealing to partners.

6. Supports Certifications

Necessary to reach the third-party certification (such as BRC, SQF) and official inspection.

7. Pushes the Repeated Improvement

Identifies non-conformity and improvement areas and results in constant improvement of safety systems.

How often do you need to change your HACCP system?

You must check your system at least once a year to ensure it’s still efficient and up to date. Yet you should update your HACCP system:

• If you make significant modifications to your ingredients
• If food safety rules change or
• New potential risks are discovered

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What is the HACCP Certification Process?

The HACCP certification process begins with developing and implementing a HACCP plan to identify hazards. An internal audit then checks that the plan is carried out correctly. 

After completing the relevant papers, you need to submit an application to a certification organisation. In order to identify possible problems before the official certification audit, some organisations could go through a pre-audit. An external examiner will check your HACCP system and processes during the certification audit. 

When the reviewer is satisfied, the certification authority grants the HACCP certification. To maintain certification, you must keep your HACCP system up to date and undertake regular surveillance audits. If the examiner is not satisfied, you must stay calm and address the issues with corrective steps. 

How to Pass a HACCP Audit and Obtain Certification

To pass a HACCP audit and become certified, you must create an effective HACCP plan, execute it, and instruct your employees. You also need to conduct internal audits early to identify any potential issues. 

Review the documentation and make any necessary corrections in order to get prepared for the certification audit. Choose a certification oragnisation, submit your application, and act on any audit concerns. Maintaining your certification requires you to continue following to your HACCP strategy while getting prepared to take periodic inspections.

Conclusion

In summary, HACCP audits are critical to ensuring food safety regulations. They should be performed at least once a year, possibly more frequently, depending on the type.  

You must update your HACCP system yearly or if there are significant changes. To become certified, ensure that your HACCP strategy is strong and passes internal and external audits. Success depends on careful preparation and following food safety guidelines.