7 Common Audit Mistakes and How to Prevent Them with Andy

Audits in the food service world: essential, yes. Exciting? Not so much.

But messing them up? That’s where the real headaches begin – think non-conformities, penalties, and even worse, food safety scares.

Even with the best quality and ops folks on the case, the same old mistakes keep popping up. Sound familiar? It’s often down to clunky manual processes, document chaos, or record-keeping nightmares.

This article dives into those common audit pitfalls and, more importantly, shows you how Andy can be your secret weapon to dodge them.

Let’s make audits less “ugh” and more “ah, got it!” 😉

 

 

1. Incomplete or Outdated Records

One of the most common issues is the lack of complete and up-to-date records.

Audits require accurate documentation on processes, controls, and historical records. However, the use of paper forms, scattered spreadsheets, or disorganised digital files makes it difficult to access and manage information properly.

This can result in non-compliance and problems when presenting evidence during the audit.

Solution with Andy:
With Andy, you can digitise and centralise all documentation in a single platform, ensuring that each record is updated in real-time and available for review at any time. Additionally, automated alerts remind responsible parties to update information before an audit.

2. Lack of follow-up of Non-Conformities

Identifying non-conformities is just the first step. A common mistake is failing to properly follow up and correct the issues, which can lead to recurrences and penalties in future audits.

Many businesses document non-conformities but do not implement effective action plans or verify whether the issues have been correctly resolved.

Solution with Andy:
Andy enables the establishment of automated workflows for non-conformity management, ensuring that each corrective action is documented and properly closed.

Additionally, it generates automatic reminders for follow-up and allows attaching evidence of compliance with corrective measures.

 

3. Unawareness of Updated Regulations

Regulations in the food industry are constantly changing. Failing to stay updated with legal and certification requirements can lead to serious non-compliance. It is common for companies to continue working with outdated regulations, exposing them to risks and possible penalties.

Solution with Andy:
Andy maintains an updated database with current regulations and customised alerts to notify responsible parties when changes require process adjustments. It also facilitates real-time compliance checks through report generation.

 

4. Lack of Staff Training

The operational team is a key piece in ensuring regulatory compliance. If staff are not properly trained, it is likely that errors will occur in food handling, temperature record-keeping, or cleaning protocol application. This not only affects the audit but also poses a risk to food safety.

Solution with Andy:
Andy’s platform allows for the management and tracking of training, ensuring that each employee receives adequate training according to their role’s requirements. It also allows documentation of certifications and scheduling automatic reminders for renewals.

 

5. Insufficient Preventive Controls

Many audit problems arise from a lack of preventive controls rather than corrective ones. The absence of periodic checks increases the risk of negative findings. Relying on sporadic inspections instead of implementing a continuous verification system can lead to unpleasant surprises during an audit.

Solution with Andy:
With Andy’s digital checklists and automated alerts system, preventive controls can be scheduled, ensuring continuous monitoring and avoiding surprises during audits. The automatic reports facilitate the early detection of deviations and their correction.

 

 

6. Lack of documented evidence

In audits, it’s not enough to “say” that protocols are followed; you must demonstrate it with evidence. The absence of visual or documentary records can lead to non-conformities and questions from the auditor.

Solution with Andy:
Andy allows for the uploading of photos, videos, and documents in each inspection, creating easily accessible backups in case of an audit. It also organises information for quick and efficient retrieval.

 

7. Dependence on Manual Processes

Managing audits manually is prone to errors, omissions, and delays. Using digital tools optimises time and reduces the likelihood of human error, ensuring a smooth and trouble-free audit process.

Solution with Andy:
Andy automates the audit processes, from planning to report generation, eliminating inefficiencies and ensuring data integrity. Thanks to its control panel, it enables responsible parties to view real-time compliance status and make data-driven decisions.

 

Audits don’t have to be a headache. Avoiding common mistakes is key to ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance in the food service sector.

With Andy, you can transform the way you manage audits, ensuring that every process is efficient, documented, and free from unpleasant surprises.

👉🏽 START WITH ANDY TODAY 👈🏽