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Checklist

Master Your Supply Chain: Essential Food Ingredient Supplier Audit Checklist

Ensure the safety and quality of your food products by systematically auditing your ingredient suppliers. This practical checklist guides CPG brands through critical evaluation points, helping maintain compliance and build robust supply chain resilience.

Key Takeaways
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Supplier Qualification
Supplier has completed a formal qualification questionnaire
Supplier holds relevant food safety certifications (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, or equivalent)
Certificate of Insurance (COI) is current and on file
Supplier has been audited within the last 12 months (internal or third-party)
Corrective action responses from previous audits are documented and closed
Food Safety and Quality Systems
HACCP plan is documented and current
Allergen control program is in place and documented
Sanitation and pest control programs are documented
Recall and traceability procedures are tested and documented
Employee food safety training records are current
Environmental monitoring program is in place (where applicable)
Ingredient and Material Specifications
Certificates of Analysis (COA) are provided for each lot
COA values are verified against agreed specifications
Organic certificates are current and cover all organic ingredients supplied
Non-GMO verification documentation is on file (if applicable)
Country of origin documentation is available for all ingredients
Supplier has a documented specification for each ingredient supplied
Traceability and Lot Control
Supplier can trace ingredients to their source within 4 hours
Lot numbers are clearly marked on all shipments
Supplier maintains records sufficient for FSMA 204 Key Data Element (KDE) requirements
Mock recall exercise has been completed within the last 12 months
Ongoing Monitoring
Supplier scorecard is reviewed quarterly
On-time delivery performance is tracked
Quality rejection rate is tracked and within acceptable limits
Supplier has been notified of any specification changes
Annual re-qualification is scheduled
✓
Label review complete.

Ready to submit for compliance review or retailer approval.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I audit my ingredient suppliers?

Audits should typically occur annually for critical suppliers, or more frequently based on risk assessment, performance history, and regulatory changes. New suppliers should always undergo a thorough initial audit.

What's the difference between a desk audit and an on-site audit?

A desk audit reviews documentation remotely, while an on-site audit involves physically visiting the supplier's facility to observe operations and verify practices. Both are valuable, with on-site offering deeper insights.

How does Guidance help with supplier audits?

Guidance streamlines supplier management by centralizing documentation, tracking certifications, and providing tools for lot traceability and FSMA 204 compliance. It helps CPG brands efficiently manage audit data and ensure supply chain integrity.

Built for CPG Operators

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A working prototype validated Guidance's core operating model. The commercial rebuild is translating that proof into production-ready workflows with CPG design partners.

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Working prototype validated. Help shape the commercial release.

Guidance is rebuilding the platform for commercial release with CPG design partners.

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