Skip to main content
Food Safety

Is Your Internal Audit Program Aligned with FSSC 22000 Requirements

By May 7, 2025No Comments

Is Your Internal Audit Program Aligned with FSSC 22000 Requirements?

If your facility is FSSC 22000 certified—or planning to be—your internal audit program plays a critical role in maintaining compliance and food safety performance. Internal audits are more than just a checkbox—they help identify gaps, verify implementation, and ensure continuous improvement. Here’s how to align your audit program with FSSC 22000 requirements.

Why Internal Audits Matter in FSSC 22000

  • Required by ISO 22000:2018 Clause 9.2

  • Verify effective implementation of your Food Safety Management System (FSMS)

  • Identify non-conformities before external auditors or customers do

  • Promote a culture of food safety and continuous improvement

  • Fulfill GFSI-recognized certification requirements

Core Requirements for Internal Audits Under FSSC 22000

1. Audit Planning

  • Establish an annual internal audit schedule

  • Cover all FSMS elements, including PRPs, HACCP plan, and management system

  • Consider process performance, changes, previous audit results

2. Auditor Competence and Objectivity

  • Use trained internal auditors who understand FSSC 22000 and food safety risks

  • Auditors must be independent of the area being audited

  • Keep training records and audit qualifications

3. Audit Scope and Criteria

  • Define clear audit objectives, scope, and criteria

  • Use FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, and ISO/TS 22002-1 as references

  • Include legal and customer requirements where relevant

4. Conducting the Audit

  • Use checklists to guide audit consistency

  • Interview staff, observe practices, and review documents

  • Record objective evidence for each clause or process

5. Reporting Audit Findings

  • Classify findings (non-conformity, observation, opportunity for improvement)

  • Communicate results clearly to relevant personnel and management

  • Include timelines for corrective actions

6. Corrective Action and Follow-Up

  • Root cause analysis for all non-conformities

  • Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

  • Verify effectiveness during follow-up audits

7. Management Review Input

  • Include audit results in management review meetings

  • Use findings to make data-driven improvements

  • Demonstrate top management’s commitment to food safety

8. Document and Record Control

  • Keep audit plans, checklists, reports, and CAPA records

  • Maintain audit trails for traceability and future certification audits

  • Retain records as per your FSMS and legal requirements

Best Practices to Strengthen Your Internal Audit Program

  • Rotate auditors to avoid bias and improve coverage

  • Use digital tools to track audit findings and actions

  • Perform surprise audits to verify real-time practices

  • Train cross-functional teams to promote internal ownership

  • Review audit results regularly with the HACCP team and FSMS leader

Common Internal Audit Mistakes to Avoid

  • Audits that are too checklist-focused without real observation

  • No corrective action follow-up or poor root cause analysis

  • Auditors auditing their own work areas

  • Ignoring low-risk findings that may lead to major issues later

Conclusion
An effective internal audit program ensures your food safety system works in real life—not just on paper. Aligning your internal audits with FSSC 22000 helps you stay compliant, improve performance, and gain customer trust.

Need Internal Audit Support or Training?
At CAYS Scientific, we provide:
✅ Internal auditor training tailored to FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000
✅ Customized internal audit checklists and templates
✅ On-site or remote audit services by certified professionals
✅ Gap assessments and pre-certification reviews

📞 Contact CAYS Scientific today to elevate your internal audit system and maintain strong FSSC 22000 compliance.

Leave a Reply