The BRC standard has grown substantially over the last 10 years, and is used by more than 12,000 sites in 96 countries. (Photo: Stock File)

Manufacturers remain unconvinced by BRC food safety audit

The BRC has recently begun creating a new version of the Global Food Safety Standard, which will be put into place by early 2012, however according to FoodManufacture.co.uk, UK manufacturers have remained unconvinced about its relevance and supermarkets have continued using their own auditing systems.

The BRC standard is meant to allow suppliers to be audited by third-parties against a single standard, however, it has not completely replaced retailer audits in the UK, and many food manufacturers are also being audited by numerous customers as well.

During an interview with FoodManufacture.co.uk, a technical manager stated: "It's getting ridiculous. You can spend three quarters of your week dealing with or preparing for audits sometimes. There has been a definite increase over the last five years, particularly of unannounced retailer audits."

He added: “Let's be absolutely honest. The retailers have no interest in the BRC standard as it is just not of the level they require. They are not interested and do not see it as adding value. Retailers have had to draw up their own standards because the BRC wasn't delivering what they wanted. There have been several instances where a retailer has had a visit from a supplier to discuss price increases. And the next day they get an unannounced audit from that customer, which surprise surprise, picks up a major issue….”

The vast majority of technical managers that were contacted by FoodManufacture.co.uk thought that the main problem is the auditing process and its lack of precision and consistency.

One interim manager told the website that: “We had our BRC audit last week and got an A grade. We were audited to the book but in my view the auditor missed lots of things that a Marks & Spencer PPC or Tesco PIU audit would have ripped us apart on. If the BRC is to gain respect again in the industry then it has to address the quality of the auditors and consistency of approach before anything else. If they can do this then things should fall into place. If they don't change then it continues as a tick box exercise.”

Many believe that these issues could be solved by implementing improved auditor training and by making the standard more simple.

Speaking to FoodManufacture.co.uk earlier this year, BRC director of Global Standards Dr Geoff Spriegel said that “The point is not to compete on the content of standards, but in the framework for ensuring compliance with them through consistent auditing and training. We've put a lot of effort into working with certification bodies on key performance indicators and training to ensure everyone has confidence in the way BRC standards are audited."

The BRC standard has grown substantially over the last 10 years, and is used by more than 12,000 sites in 96 countries.

By Brian Loubet Jambert
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Address:	21 Dartmouth Street
City:	London
State/ZIP:	England (SW1H 9BP )
Country:	United Kingdom
Phone:	+44 20 7854 8939
Fax:	+44 20 7854 8901
E-Mail:	[email protected]
More about:

Print