Practice Makes Perfect: Sarah Brew in Food Safety Compliance Report on the Importance of Robust Inspection Policies for Food Manufacturers

Food safety inspections are almost always unexpected. Faegre Baker Daniels partner Sarah Brew counsels and provides risk management advice to clients in the food industry on regulatory compliance matters. In the November 2014 edition of Food Safety Compliance Report, Brew said that food producers should be prepared at all times through clear polices and guidelines to face inspectors.

As an example of having clear guidelines in place Brew said, "It's much better to be able to respond to an inspector's request with ‘Our policy doesn't allow that' or ‘I can provide that information after I consult with the Quality Team,' than to make a quick on-the-spot decision that may be inconsistent with past practice or have far-reaching future implications." As practice makes perfect, mock inspection training is also essential. "The best way to prepare for an inspection is to practice. As with mock recalls, mock inspections may help identify a variety of issues and provide the company with an opportunity to address those issues before the real event," Brew said.

In addition to training on the factory floor, documentation must also be managed in a way to provide a smoother inspection. "Inspections are more than just peeking in nooks and crannies. Regulators want to know that the company has in place and is following sound food safety practices," she said. "Many inspectors follow the rule, ‘if it isn't written down, it didn't happen; if it is written down, it happened exactly that way,'" Brew added.