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Food Safety Check-Up - Gap Analysis & Benchmarking Services

What is a Food Safety Check-Up?

A Food Safety and Process Check-Up is a comprehensive approach to assessing food safety for a processor, manufacturer, foodservice operator, retailer or distributor. It is a program that has been developed and used successfully to help companies identify and mitigate risks to food safety within their own facilities, as well as those adjunct vendors and suppliers within their supply chain.

It is composed of 3 distinct and important steps:

• Step 1: Analysis. Client processes are "mapped" (all operations and reporting structures documented in a flow-chart) in order for client and EpiHealth to agree on the detail and accuracy.
• Step 2: Benchmarking. Client systems, processes and capabilities are evaluated against best practices and certifying agency benchmarks. This way, gaps (errors, omissions) in food safety, HACCP and prerequisite programs (e.g., sanitation, recall, pest control, food defense, etc.) and documentation are quickly and efficiently identified for client Quality Assurance and Management to see and understand. Practical solutions for correction or improvement are explained to the client in an informal environment as opposed to during the stress of a formal audit.
• Step 3: Correction. EpiHealth prioritizes the gaps, explains the risks and recommends practical corrections, all summarized in an easily-read document with actionable next steps. Good practices already in place which meet and exceed industry standards are called out with praise and used as examples throughout the remainder of the process.

What are the Benefits?

The benefits of an enhanced food safety and process quality program include:

• Protecting the customer and consumer and, in turn, protecting your main corporate asset: your company's reputation
• Notifying vendors/suppliers of your requirements and expectations for compliance to your Program
• Assuring that all operations meet regulatory requirements
• Addressing the growing litigious nature of today's business climate
• Addressing heightened consumer awareness of food and materials safety
• Providing customers with consistent, satisfying product
• Enhancing the overall customer experience
• Developing a disciplined approach to change/continuous improvement of product quality
• Cultivating quick, professional responses to problems

This "end-to-end" approach to the safety and quality process protects your main corporate assets: your supply chain and, most importantly, your company's reputation.

How can I evaluate this process to meet my business needs?

Contact us to find out.