How to build an internal audit programme that actually drives compliance and improvement

1 July 2026 | Louise Harris, Safety and Quality Specialist, and Konrad Wojcik, Safety and Quality Specialist

How much benefit is your organisation really getting form your internal audit programme?

The benefits of a strong internal audit programme are well-known – from better external audit performance and reduced risk of food safety incidents, through to improved operational efficiency and a culture of continuous improvement. However, getting the most out of internal auditing is not always achieved in practice.

That’s why we have prepared this blog – covering criteria for a successful, effective internal audit programme, as well as some top tips on how to achieve it.

What makes an effective internal audit programme?

Food business operators must ensure their internal audit programmes both demonstrate and drive conformity with relevant standards. Internal audits are your main form of verification you carry out on site, and they also need to be used to strengthen processes, identify inefficiencies, reduce the likelihood of non‑conformities, and actively support continuous improvement.

For a successful, effective internal audit programme, the following parameters need to be met:

1. The audit schedule
   • Setting out a risk-based audit annual programme/schedule to ensure all areas of the food safety management system are covered.
   • Completing audits in a timely manner by the due dates programmed in.
2. The audit team
   • Ensuring a suitable, competent team of individuals (with the right skills, knowledge and time to conduct the audits).
   • Calibrating your teams for consistency in scoring (is one auditor always findings lots of minor issues, but missing more significant food safety concerns?).
   • Making sure auditors are independent of the area they are auditing (they cannot audit their own work).
3. Non-conformities and follow up
   • Scoring non-conformities (critical / major / minor, which is now the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognised grading criteria), with justifications behind the use of each category.
   • Having well documented audits (and associated investigations and actions for non-conformances) with clear, factual reporting from which someone remote from the area can understand exactly what was found.
   • Documenting conformance as well as non-conformance (to highlight your due diligence defence), the measures you are putting in place to ensure things are working as they should be, and the gaps or improvement opportunities.
4. Preventive action
   • Investigating – after a potential initial correction, depending on the issue, auditees then need to get to the true causes (not just addressing symptoms of issues found). See our blog on how to get root cause analysis right.
   • Challenging whether the issue has been resolved (it is the auditor’s responsibility to challenge what has been put in place by the auditee).
5. Continuous improvement and shared learning
   • Ensuring there is shared learning in other areas of the business (or with sister sites for multi-site operations) when the outcomes of the audits are addressed.
   • Using this information for future strategic planning and continuous improvement opportunities.

Expert support to facilitate effective internal auditing programmes

We have a strong history of supporting members, clients and industry with internal audits.

Our food safety and quality management experts:

• Provide training in this area, as well as offering support with the planning, development, implementation and improvement of internal audit programmes.
• Assess the effectiveness of existing internal audit programmes and make recommendations for improvements.
• Can conduct internal audits on your behalf and provide further support to close out any findings.
• Provide independent support following external audit issues/incidents and can help with challenging external findings.

We are here to help with all elements of managing food safety, quality and compliance with confidence – navigating change, controlling risk, and protecting your brand.

We provide consultancy and guidance in all aspects of compliance and risk management, from initial supply chain risk assessments through to final product assurance. Our regulatory experts help you meet the legal requirements of your target markets and keep up with changes. And our laboratories are here to help with the design and execution of testing plans to demonstrate compliance.

How can we help?

If you need support with your internal audits, get in touch.

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