Conformance with food safety standards throughout the supply chain is now a fact of doing business. Certification standards targeting farms, facilities, and retailers – SQF, GLOBALG.A.P, BRC, ISO 22000, FSC 22000, Harmonized Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) – all provide guidance to help companies and customers steer clear of food safety crises. Dig deeper, however, and you’ll discover one key factor often overlooked– namely, auditor competence. Ultimately, it’s up to the auditor to interpret the standard’s intent during the farm or facility assessment. It’s like the difference between a good cook and a great chef – it’s not just about following the recipe, but about bringing a critical eye to the process, a combination of expertise and instinct.
