The world we live in today is unlike the one we lived in 10 years ago. Advances in technology and the rapid expansion of the food industry have made products more accessible and multi-faceted than ever. These advancements also make it increasingly hard to protect a fast-growing food supply from the many risks it faces. More than 200 modern-day diseases are caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances in unsafe food, putting infants, young children, the elderly and the ill at the greatest risk of illness and malnutrition.
“Today, consumers, along with the clients and suppliers we support, demand absolute assurance that every product is free from potential hazards. It is no surprise, then, that thorough, professionally conducted food safety audits, both internal and external, are more critical than ever,” as one industry specialist recently observed
Prevention Through Internal and External Audits
South Africa’s food safety standards are among the highest globally, and retailers demand the same level of rigour from their suppliers. Failing a food safety audit not only places consumers at risk but can also sever valuable client-manufacturer relationships overnight.
As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure: “Anyone in the food industry has to be on top of the food safety game nowadays,” she adds. Timeous, detailed internal audits help your team put all the correct precautions in place before an external certification audit, reducing the chance of non-conformances.
Learning from Recent Outbreaks and Pandemics
The 2017 Listeria outbreak in South Africa highlighted how swiftly contamination can spread. More recently, the onset of Covid-19 has elevated hand-washing, sanitising, PPE use and additional safety equipment from recommended practices to non-negotiable standards. This focus on touchpoints, hand hygiene and social distancing has had the positive side-effect of reducing bacterial cross-contamination too – an outcome that benefits every facility.
Embedding a Robust Food Safety Culture
Equipment and protocols alone cannot prevent lapses without engaged personnel. Regular, on-site staff training and awareness are key. When every visitor, contractor, operator and manager truly understands why each control measure exists, food safety moves in step with production. Clear, frequent communication of the rationale behind PPE use, sanitisation cycles and hygiene stations builds a proactive mindset. It’s in these daily practices, where every staff member follows each step carefully, that “the battle against unsafe food is won, every day.”
Integrating Audits into Continuous Improvement
Ecowize has been ISO 22000 certified since 2012 and undergoes annual audits to maintain conformance. We see audits not as hurdles but as opportunities: post-audit reports become action plans with clear timelines, responsibilities and verification checks. By integrating food safety audits into your Food Safety Management System, you create a cycle of continuous improvement that keeps pace with regulatory changes and emerging risks.
Comprehensive Coverage, Every Day
A robust audit programme examines every stage, from raw-material receipt and storage through to packaging and dispatch. It checks that laminated, water-resistant labels replace paper ones in humid areas, that sanitiser concentrations remain validated, and that staff logs near-miss incidents for immediate corrective action. This level of detail ensures compliance with SANS 10049, HACCP principles and ISO 22000 guidelines, safeguarding consumer health and retailer relationships alike.
Protecting your supply chain against contamination, disease and malnutrition begins with a clear commitment to food safety. By combining thorough internal and external audits, a strong food safety culture and up-to-date safety measures, your facility can meet – and exceed – South African standards while preserving brand integrity.
Contact an Ecowize Food Safety Specialist today to review your audit schedules, training programmes and management systems, and keep safety firmly on your menu.