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How to Prepare for a GFSI Audit (Without the Last-Minute Panic)

If you’ve ever spent a week buried in binders before a GFSI audit, you’re not alone. Whether you certify under SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000, “audit panic” is one of the most common experiences in food manufacturing.

The truth? A clean GFSI audit isn’t about intensity, it’s about consistency.

Here’s how top FSQA teams prepare for audits year-round and reduce the pre-audit scramble that burns time and morale.

1. Understand What GFSI Auditors Are Really Looking For

GFSI auditors don’t just check paperwork, they evaluate control. That means:

• Are your records complete, signed, and current?

• Can you prove verification, not just completion?

• Do your processes match your documentation?

If your answer depends on what day they visit, it’s time to redesign your system for predictability.

2. Audit Your Own Documentation First

Before the official audit, run a documentation self-assessment. Focus on:

• HACCP plan currency (hazards, CCP verification, calibration logs)

• Corrective actions and closure evidence

• Supplier approvals and COA tracking

• Training and competency records

Tip: Make sure every form or SOP in use matches its latest version, version drift is one of the top minor findings across GFSI schemes.

3. Simplify Your Recordkeeping System

The number one cause of audit stress is fragmentation. Documents in shared drives, spreadsheets, and inboxes create confusion. Move toward a single source of truth where all records, from training to CAPAs, live together.

Digital systems like Certdox eliminate duplication and make it possible to retrieve any record in seconds. That visibility turns audit week into an ordinary week.

4. Train for Verification, Not Just Completion

GFSI auditors look closely at verification records. They want to see that you’re not just performing tasks, you’re confirming they worked. Build training around:

• CCP monitoring

• Verification sign-offs

• Evidence capture (photos, swabs, test results)

5. Trend Your Findings, Don’t Just File Them

A single non-conformance isn’t a problem. Repeated ones are. The strongest sites trend internal audit and CAPA data to identify recurring issues. It proves your system is improving, which is what GFSI auditors want to see.

6. Make Audit Readiness a Daily Habit

Audit readiness isn’t a season. It’s the outcome of good systems. When recordkeeping, corrective actions, and supplier management are integrated, audit prep stops being a scramble and starts being a byproduct of daily work.

How Certdox Helps
Certdox centralizes HACCP, supplier, training, and audit records in one system. Teams use it to:

• Stay audit-ready all year

• Track open CAPAs and corrective actions

• Manage suppliers and documents automatically

• Retrieve any record in seconds

When everything is connected, audit prep stops being a burden, and starts being proof of control.

A smooth GFSI audit isn’t luck. It’s design. Build systems that reflect the way your team actually works, and readiness will follow naturally.

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