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SQF 2.5.5 - Internal Auditing Team

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The Food Scientist

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Posted 22 January 2020 - 07:47 PM

So for the Internal Auditing section SQF 2.5.5.

 

I am trying to form our new Internal Audit team. 

 

They can be from ANY department? All they need to be is trained in Internal Auditing, correct? 

 

Because I have a team but I need a more "diverse/cross functional" team. I was thinking of adding people who don't directly work with Production/Quality/Food Safety/ 

 

Also could I (the SQF Practitioner), give them a training on Internal Auditing? Or does it have to be some professional training?


Everything in food is science. The only subjective part is when you eat it. - Alton Brown.


crystalQC

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Posted 22 January 2020 - 07:54 PM

You're correct, they can be from any department (our auditor told us it was preferred since audits must be unbiased towards responsibility, i.e production staff auditor cannot audit production scopes). 

Currently, our company now does BRC so I am unsure about the second part of your question regarding training.



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SQFconsultant

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Posted 22 January 2020 - 08:02 PM

Yes from any department

They just should not inspect their own department

An experienced person with internal auditing can train everyone in-house (proof of training is needed under SQF)

This website, a couple of other source and our company offer internal auditor training as well.


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The Food Scientist

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Posted 22 January 2020 - 08:48 PM

Yes from any department

They just should not inspect their own department

An experienced person with internal auditing can train everyone in-house (proof of training is needed under SQF)

This website, a couple of other source and our company offer internal auditor training as well.

 

Thanks. I myself took the Internal Auditor training (I have proof too), so I guess I'll be doing that.

 

Also yes about them not inspecting their own department, that is why it is being difficult to me, hence why I asked this question. Because some employees work in many areas so I do want to avoid that, which is why I need more diversity. So to be unbiased.


Everything in food is science. The only subjective part is when you eat it. - Alton Brown.


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Posted 23 January 2020 - 02:51 PM

Thanks for this posting. I didn't realize I needed this as well. Glenn, you mentioned a website offering training but I didn't see the link. Would you mind providing it again? Any other training suggestions would be great as well. 



The Food Scientist

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Posted 23 January 2020 - 04:18 PM

Thanks for this posting. I didn't realize I needed this as well. Glenn, you mentioned a website offering training but I didn't see the link. Would you mind providing it again? Any other training suggestions would be great as well. 

 

I took this one:

 

https://www.22000-to...nal-audits.html


Everything in food is science. The only subjective part is when you eat it. - Alton Brown.


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SQFconsultant

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Posted 23 January 2020 - 04:36 PM

Thanks for this posting. I didn't realize I needed this as well. Glenn, you mentioned a website offering training but I didn't see the link. Would you mind providing it again? Any other training suggestions would be great as well. 

 

H oigdaym8,

 

I didn't post a link - what I said was that IFSQN has an internal auditor training course, as do we and there are others as well.  


All the Best,

 

All Rights Reserved,

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Glenn Oster.

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SQF System Development | Internal Auditor Training | eConsultant

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http://www.GCEMVI.XYZ

http://www.GlennOster.com

 


AC2018

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Posted 23 January 2020 - 04:42 PM

Along with what Glenn said, this is what we did at my company and was acceptable to SQF. I took an online internal auditing course through the website Alchemy (had to provide the proof during the audit) and then created my own training to train the employees in house who would be completing the monthly internal audits. This included a power point, quiz, and training sign off which was acceptable to our auditor. I have individuals from accounting, inventory control, General Manager, President, Vice President, etc. to complete the audit monthly along with myself then I sign off on it as well and complete corrective actions, etc. We are a small company so it was hard to find individuals who were not directly involved in the everyday of the area's being audited. Hope this helps! 

 

Here is a link to the training that I believe I took. They provide you with a certificate at the end. 

https://academy.alch...earning-course/



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FurFarmandFork

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Posted 23 January 2020 - 05:55 PM

Link to IFSQN's course: https://www.ifsqn.co...ood-operations/


Austin Bouck
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Consulting for companies needing effective, lean food safety systems and solutions.

Subscribe to the blog at furfarmandfork.com for food safety research, insights, and analysis.

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Timwoodbag

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Posted 24 January 2020 - 09:03 PM

Yes with your experience and your certificate you may now train your employees, though you need to develop a proper training session, not just a couple of PP slides.  All training needs to be documented of course.  Anyone who sniffs internal auditing needs documented training.  



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Posted 28 January 2020 - 01:54 PM

Yes with your experience and your certificate you may now train your employees, though you need to develop a proper training session, not just a couple of PP slides.  All training needs to be documented of course.  Anyone who sniffs internal auditing needs documented training.  

I am wondering if a certificate is required to have in order to train others in internal auditing? I am the SQF Practitioner and I have experience auditing from my previous position. I could show proof if needed; however, I do not have a formal "internal auditing" certificate. Would this still be okay?

 

I did not get a non-conformance for this during our first audit but after reading this thread I am wondering if I need to look into a certificate to cover my bases?

 

Jenna


Edited by jperri, 28 January 2020 - 01:55 PM.


Timwoodbag

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Posted 28 January 2020 - 02:13 PM

2.5.5.2 Staff conducting internal audits shall be trained and competent in internal audit procedures.

 

I would find some formal training, this is one of the few times where experience alone does not pass.  Does anyone at your company have formal training?  If so, they can train you, then you would have formal training, and could then train others.  



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Posted 28 January 2020 - 02:20 PM

Thank you for responding!

 

No, I am the only food safety rep here at a small company. I will definitely look into this.

 

It does make me question why it was accepted during our first audit? I have the formal SQF training - understanding the code and all its requirements, but not specific internal auditing training. I guess each auditor varies in expectations.

 

Jenna



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Posted 28 January 2020 - 02:30 PM

Yes I was given a minor for it, the only girl who took the official class quit a week before our 3rd quarter audits, so I had to do them.  That was a big red flag, because I was clearly self-auditing, so he asked for my certificate, and I had nothing to show!



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The Food Scientist

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Posted 28 January 2020 - 02:33 PM

What Timwoodbag said. 

 

Ive been many SQF Audits and an auditor never asked me to show him my certificate of training in IA.

 

They always just look at the audit records and then look at the team and ask if everyone was trained with proof of a training form.


Everything in food is science. The only subjective part is when you eat it. - Alton Brown.


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