The food manufacturing and beverage manufacturing & distribution industry have been greatly impacted by the continuous amendments in the Global Standard for Food Safety, established by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in 1998. The BRC requirements set standards for food safety, quality, and operational criteria to ensure consumer protection and legal compliance. These requirements apply to food manufacturing in various categories such as processed foods, raw materials, and ingredients used by food service companies, catering businesses, and pet foods for domestic animals.
In 2018, the BRC developed new requirements that reflected the desired standards for the food manufacturing and processing industry. The focus of the new BRC standards was on product safety culture improvements, expanding requirements for environmental monitoring, developing security systems and food defense, and clarifying requirements for high-risk, high-care, and ambient high-care production zones. The BRC Audit is one of the major standards required by the BRC. This article focuses on the importance of BRC audit cleaning and kitchen audits for food manufacturing facilities.
Food manufacturing and processing companies have seen a rise in BRC audits, including both announced and unannounced audits, taking place in their facilities. The hygiene and safety standards required to meet the specific criteria set out in the BRC regulations are paramount to ensure that factories and food manufacturing plants remain running. Therefore, companies need to ensure that they meet these requirements to avoid significant consequences such as loss of business, food recalls, and legal implications.
The BRC audit is a comprehensive process that assesses the compliance of a food manufacturing facility with the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. The audit covers various aspects of a facility, including the operational process, product handling, storage, equipment, staff training, and hygiene practices. To pass the audit, a facility must comply with the BRC standards in all aspects.
To ensure compliance with the BRC standards, food manufacturing facilities need to undergo regular cleaning and maintenance, including pre-BRC audit cleaning. The pre-BRC audit cleaning process is essential to prepare the facility for the audit and ensure that it meets the required standards. The BRC audit cleaning process involves deep cleaning of the facility, including high-level access, food manufacturing and processing plant deep cleaning, production equipment deep cleaning, and duct cleaning (compliant with TR19 standards). This process helps to remove any potential contaminants and ensures that the facility is in prime condition for the BRC audit.
The importance of BRC audit cleaning and kitchen audits cannot be overemphasised. The BRC audit cleaning process ensures that a food manufacturing facility meets the BRC standards and is ready for the audit. The kitchen audit, on the other hand, focuses on the kitchen area of the facility and ensures that it is hygienic and safe for food production.
The kitchen area of a food manufacturing facility is where the production of food takes place, making it a critical area to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety. The kitchen audit process involves assessing the cleanliness and safety of the kitchen area, including the equipment, utensils, and staff practices. The audit helps to identify potential hazards and risks and ensures that corrective measures are taken to prevent contamination of food products.
Food manufacturing facilities are legally required to meet specific standards and regulations set by the UK government. The Food Safety Act 1990 is the primary legislation governing food safety in the UK. The act requires food manufacturers to ensure that food produced, sold, or supplied is safe for consumption.
Additionally, the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 requires that food businesses have adequate procedures in place to manage food safety risks, including maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal implications, including fines, closure of facilities, and even imprisonment.
In conclusion, BRC audit cleaning and kitchen audits play a crucial role in ensuring that food manufacturing facilities meet the required standards for food safety and quality. The BRC audit is a comprehensive process that covers all aspects of a facility, while the kitchen audit focuses on the critical area of food production. Regular cleaning and maintenance, including pre-BRC audit cleaning, are necessary to ensure that a facility is in prime condition for the audit.
Furthermore, legal requirements mandate that food manufacturing facilities comply with specific standards and regulations to ensure food safety. Failure to comply can result in significant consequences, emphasising the importance of regular audits and cleaning.
APT offers a comprehensive range of industrial cleaning services, including pre-BRC audit cleaning and kitchen audits. We understand the importance of meeting the BRC standards and the implications of failing to do so. That’s why our team of experienced professionals can assist food manufacturing facilities in ensuring that they meet the required standards for BRC audits. Our pre-audit cleaning process involves a deep clean of the facility, ensuring that it meets the required standards for hygiene and cleanliness. Our team also provides kitchen audits to assess the cleanliness and safety of the kitchen area.
By working with APT, food manufacturing facilities can be confident that they are fully prepared for BRC audits and are maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety. Contact our expert team to discuss your commercial cleaning & BRC audit requirements!
