On-Site Supplier Audits - are they necessary?

Hello all!

How necessary is it to do on-site supplier audits?  The products we manufacture are very low risk, as are the raw ingredients we use.  We've never done an on-site audit for any of our vendors, so curious if this is something we should plan.  We have always done desk audits.  Previous auditors have mentioned it, but it hasn't been an issue and the code doesn't specifically call for on-site audits.   

Thanks!

Jill

It would depend for me on the risk of the ingredient (which you've said is low) and whether they have a GFSI standard.  If neither then I would audit.  Even if it's low risk. 

It would depend for me on the risk of the ingredient (which you've said is low) and whether they have a GFSI standard.  If neither then I would audit.  Even if it's low risk. 

Thank you!  We have a few that aren't audited to the GFSI standard and those are the vendors I think we should be doing on-site audits.