Do you need to perform internal audits for your food manufacturing business? Do you know how to plan and execute one? When choosing the best solution for your organization, it’s essential to evaluate your specific requirements, consider the software’s ease of use, scalability, integration capabilities, reporting features, and ongoing support services including the ability to help with internal audits.
What is an Internal Audit in the Food and Beverage Industry?
An internal audit in the food and beverage industry is a systematic evaluation of an organization’s food safety and quality management systems. It involves assessing compliance with regulations, verifying adherence to standard operating procedures, and identifying areas for improvement to ensure the production of safe, high-quality products.
Why are Internal Audits Important in the Food and Beverage Industry?
Internal audits help identify potential risks, improve food safety practices, ensure regulatory compliance, prevent product recalls, maintain customer trust, and drive continuous improvement in processes. They also play a vital role in achieving and maintaining certifications and systems, such as your HACCP plans, as well as GMP, GFSI, SQF and BRC certifications.
Top Software for Internal Audits at Food and Beverage Companies
Here are a few popular and highly regarded choices for internal audit software.
01: FoodReady
Free version: 14-day free trial available
Pricing: Contact FoodReady for more information
Platforms supported: Web, iOS, and Android
Why FoodReady?
FoodReady internal audit software is a comprehensive food safety tool designed to streamline and automate the internal audit process for the food and beverage industry.
FoodReady Features:
- Checklist Builder: The FoodReady software allows you to create your internal audit and effectively log audit actions.
- Task Manager: Allows you to create, assign and log tasks associated with your internal audit.
- Document Management: Cloud-based document management keeps all your documents accessible and easily retrievable for your internal inspector.
- HACCP Builder and HACCP Logs: The HACCP plan builder is easily readable to show what the hazards are and whether they are being controlled and the HACCP plan followed correctly
- Recall Management: Food traceability features to keep compliant with federal regulations such as FSMA.
02: Pulse
Free version: Free Trial Available
Pricing: Contact Pulse for more information
Platforms supported: Web, iOS, and Android
Why Pulse?
Pulse is a cloud-based software that helps businesses from different industries with their EHS compliance and quality control goals by digitizing inspections.
Pulse Features:
- Pulse Utilizes Advanced Algorithms
- Automated Auditing Process
- Automatically Scans Relevant Documentation
03: GoAudits
Free version: Free Trial Available
Pricing: Contact GoAudits for more information
Platforms supported: Web, Android, iOS (Form OpX)
Why GoAudits?
GoAudits streamlines and improves the entire internal audit process for the food manufacturing industry.
GoAudits Features:
- Audit Management
- Audit Planning and Trial
- Customizable Audit Templates
04: Auditform
Free version: Free Trial Available
Pricing: Contact Auditform for more information
Platforms supported: Web, iOS, and Android
Why Auditform?
Auditform’s features support efficient and effective internal audits in the food and beverage industry, Auditform features are designed to streamline audit processes, improve data collection, and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Auditform Features:
- Improve Data Collection
- Streamline Audit Processes
- Customizable Audit Templates
05: Techni-K
Free version: Free Trial Available
Pricing: Contact Techni-K for more information
Platforms supported: Web, iOS and Android
Why Techni-K?
The audIT.app by Techni-K is a paperless, easy-to-use internal audit software for the food industry to help achieve compliance.
Techni-K Features:
- User-friendly and Intuitive Design
- Provides Real-time Updates
- Create Customized Reports
- Cloud-based System
Frequently Asked Questions:
Internal audits in the food and beverage industry are conducted by trained auditors who are usually part of the organization’s quality or food safety team.
A checklist provides a structured framework and guide to help auditors systematically review various aspects of the food process such as hygiene practices, documentation, equipment maintenance, training requirements, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
The frequency of internal audits depends on various factors, including regulatory requirements, industry standards, and the organization’s risk management strategy. With a higher risk comes more frequent audits.
The company should develop and implement corrective actions to address identified issues.
Technology can greatly enhance internal audits in the food and beverage industry. It can streamline the audit process, improve data collection and analysis, enhance documentation and reporting, and facilitate corrective action management.