The Future of Food Safety Audits Think Tank's whitepaper,¹ released in October 2024, sparked significant interest—but this was just the beginning.

Building on that momentum, World of Auditing partnered with Çağ University in Turkey to launch a global quantitative and qualitative anonymous survey. This initiative aims to deliver science-based insights into the size, scope, and dynamics of food safety auditing challenges and opportunities, as discussed on global platforms.

This comprehensive and unprecedented survey gathers valuable perspectives from quality and food safety (QFS) leaders—including specialists, supervisors, managers, directors, or vice presidents at manufacturing locations or regional and global offices—and food safety auditors working in the food and beverage industry. It is designed to assess the effectiveness of audits, explore challenges, and chart the future of food safety practices.

Please click this link to participate in the survey. 

This study delves into critical areas such as governance frameworks, the impact of digitalization, auditor skills, and the evolving role of the auditing profession. It is structured to address general topics relevant to all participants, specific perspectives from QFS leaders and auditors, and forward-looking discussions about the evolution of auditing. The responses will help identify opportunities to improve audit practices and enhance food safety systems across the industry. 

The questionnaire addresses the following ten areas:

1. General topics: We aim to understand participants' opinions on the overall effectiveness and impact of food safety audits. Questions focus on the general perception of audits, their contribution to public health and continuous improvement, and whether the current audit practices meet their intended goals.
2. Governance process: We explore participants' views on the governance frameworks supporting food safety audits. Questions address the transparency, inclusiveness, and harmonization of global standards and the possible concerns for a universally accepted certification.
3. Digitalization: We examine the role of digital tools and technology in food safety audits. Questions cover the adoption of digitalization, as well as the benefits, challenges, and impacts on audit processes and accuracy.
4. Auditor capabilities: We address auditors' competencies, including technical expertise, soft skills, and associated training programs.
5. Auditing profession: We delve into the perceived value of the auditing profession, career prospects, and auditors' influence on food safety practices. Questions also explore factors that could enhance the appeal of auditing as a career.
6. Future of audits: We focus on the evolution of food safety audits. Questions address the possible threat of auditor shortages, adopting proactive auditing models, and the likelihood of integrating advanced technologies in audits.
7. Perceived value of food safety audits: We evaluate the perceived value created by different audits (first-party, second-party, and third-party). We also examine the effectiveness of integrity programs, the balance between certification and value addition, and the practicality of audit findings.
8. Internal audits: We focus on the role and value of internal audits within organizations. We explore perceptions about internal auditors' capabilities, cross-departmental involvement, and the organization's commitment to leveraging internal audits effectively.
9. Perspective of auditors: Food safety auditors share their perspectives on skills, compensation, career development, and professional support. 
10. Cost of multiple certifications: We aim to determine the costs of holding multiple certifications.

The findings will be available in a publicly accessible report in 2025, offering actionable insights to enhance food safety systems across the industry. The benefits will include gaining insights into the perceived value of various types of audits, understanding governance challenges and opportunities, evaluating the auditing profession's perception, assessing organizational prioritization of internal audits and resource allocation, exploring the value of digitalization, measuring auditors' skills, and quantifying the costs of multiple certifications.

Whether you are a food safety auditor or a QFS leader, your voice matters. Many thanks for your participation!

References

1. World of Auditing. "The Future of Food Safety Auditing Think Tank." 2024. https://worldofauditing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Future-of-Food-Safety-Auditing-Think-Tank-White-Paper-Final-Version.pdf.

Authors

Marc Cwikowski is Co-Founder at World of Auditing. He has worked for more than 30 years in the food and beverage industry and held various senior global leadership and executive positions in companies including Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company, and Danone. Former positions include audit process manager, director of quality and food safety strategy, director of supply chain capability development, food safety center director, and vice president for quality and food safety. Marc holds a master's degree in chemical and agricultural bioengineering from Agro-Bio Tech University at Gembloux. He holds extensive international experience in innovation, quality assurance, and food safety.