Introduction

In the highly regulated food industry, maintaining robust food safety management systems is paramount, and effective internal audits are the cornerstone of verifying their implementation, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring continuous compliance with globally recognized standards like FSSC 22000. Mastering FSSC 22000 Internal Auditor skills is absolutely critical for food safety professionals, quality assurance personnel, and anyone involved in maintaining and enhancing an organization's Food Safety Management System (FSMS), aiming for excellence and certification readiness. This essential training course is designed to equip food safety team leaders, quality managers, production supervisors, HACCP coordinators, internal auditors, and compliance officers with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required for interpreting FSSC 22000 requirements (including ISO 22000 and sector-specific PRPs), developing comprehensive audit plans, conducting effective internal audits, documenting non-conformities accurately, and driving corrective actions for continual improvement. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the audit process, the nuances of identifying systemic issues rather than isolated incidents, the challenges of fostering an audit-ready culture, and the critical role of objective evidence in assessing FSMS effectiveness. This program emphasizes practical techniques, adherence to ISO 19011 auditing guidelines, and real-world scenarios pertinent to conducting value-adding internal audits, empowering you to confidently uphold the highest food safety standards within your organization.

Target Audience

• Food Safety Team Leaders
• Quality Managers & Supervisors
• Internal Auditors for Food Safety
• Production Managers & Supervisors
• HACCP Coordinators
• Food Safety Consultants
• Compliance Officers
• Professionals maintaining an FSMS

Course Objectives

• Master the core requirements of FSSC 22000 (including ISO 22000 and ISO/TS 22002-x series PRPs).
• Learn sophisticated techniques for planning, conducting, and reporting effective internal audits as per ISO 19011.
• Develop proficiency in understanding the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle within the FSMS context.
• Understand advanced strategies for identifying and documenting non-conformities and opportunities for improvement.
• Explore best practices in auditor roles, responsibilities, and essential auditing attributes.
• Grasp advanced techniques for assessing the effectiveness of corrective actions and follow-up activities.
• Learn about robust approaches to auditing specific FSSC 22000 additional requirements (e.g., food fraud, food defense).
• Identify the critical role of risk-based thinking in FSSC 22000 and its application in internal audits.
• Develop skills in preparing comprehensive audit checklists and objective audit reports.
• Understand the relationship between internal audits and the FSSC 22000 certification process.
• Formulate strategies for driving continual improvement in the Food Safety Management System through effective auditing.

Duration

5 Days

Course Outline

Module 1. Introduction to FSSC 22000 & FSMS Fundamentals

• Overview of FSSC 22000 Scheme (current version) and its components
• Understanding ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management Systems
• Role of Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) from ISO/TS 22002-x series
• Key concepts: hazard analysis, critical control points (CCPs), operational PRPs (OPRPs)
• The importance of internal audits in verifying FSMS effectiveness

Module 2. FSSC 22000 Requirements: In-Depth Review

• Clause-by-clause interpretation of ISO 22000:2018 requirements
• Detailed review of sector-specific PRPs relevant to your industry
• Understanding FSSC 22000 Additional Requirements (e.g., food defense, food fraud, allergen management)
• Context of the organization, leadership, planning for FSMS
• Support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement clauses

Module 3. Principles & Managing an Audit Program

• Introduction to ISO 19011: Guidelines for auditing management systems
• Types of audits: internal, second-party, third-party
• Roles and responsibilities of an internal auditor
• Planning and managing an internal audit program: scope, frequency, resources
• Developing an annual audit schedule and audit teams

Module 4. Preparing for the Internal Audit

• Reviewing relevant documentation: FSMS manual, procedures, previous audit reports
• Developing effective audit checklists and open-ended questions
• Communication strategies with auditees prior to the audit
• Understanding audit objectives and criteria
• Risk-based approach to audit planning

Module 5. Conducting the Internal Audit

• Opening meetings and establishing rapport
• Gathering objective evidence: interviewing, observation, document review
• Effective questioning techniques and active listening
• Handling difficult situations and maintaining objectivity
• Recording audit findings accurately

Module 6. Reporting Non-Conformities & Audit Results

• Classifying non-conformities (major/minor) and opportunities for improvement
• Writing clear, concise, and factual non-conformity reports
• Communicating audit findings during the closing meeting
• Preparing the comprehensive internal audit report
• Presenting audit results to management

Module 7. Corrective Actions & Follow-up

• Understanding root cause analysis for non-conformities
• Developing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Follow-up activities to verify the implementation and effectiveness of CAPAs
• Continuous improvement through analysis of audit trends
• Maintaining audit records and documentation for compliance

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.