A food audit involves the inspection of manufacturing, processing and distribution processes in the food industry for quality assurance purposes.
Summary: Food quality requires more than compliance with regulations; it has a significant impact on consumer confidence and health. Companies have a responsibility to ensure strict quality control along the entire supply chain. Digital software solutions help to maintain high standards and ensure hygiene, traceability and labeling.
Food quality means more than just complying with regulations. It influences the health and confidence of consumers. Only if food and beverages meet strict requirements in terms of taste, texture, nutritional value, shelf life and safety can they be convincing in the long term. Companies in the food industry have an enormous responsibility - a responsibility that does not end with production.
But what does effective quality control look like? Which testing methods are crucial and how can digital solutions support companies in this?
Food and beverage quality control covers the entire supply chain - from raw material control to production and final inspection. Only those who set the highest standards from the outset can score points with retailers and customers in the long term.
Food safety and food standards are extremely important for food quality, as they define the minimum requirements for hygiene, protection, traceability, packaging and labeling of food and are an integral part of quality management processes in companies.
Food quality encompasses sensory, physical, chemical, microbiological and nutritional properties. These directly influence safety, taste, appearance and nutritional value and are therefore essential for consumers and manufacturers.
However, the definition of food quality varies depending on the perspective:
Clear, transparent criteria are needed to objectively assess the quality of food and ensure long-term trust in brands and products.
Quality control includes various test methods:
The quality check is carried out in several steps:
These multi-stage tests help to detect quality defects at an early stage and avoid recalls or loss of image. Because quality that inspires creates trust that lasts.
Legal requirements check and ensure that food and beverage quality control regulations are adhered to. Particularly important framework conditions and guidelines are
EU regulations define the general and specific requirements for food hygiene, the handling of animal by-products, contaminants in food, additives, flavorings and enzymes, novel foods, genetically modified foods, traceability and the rapid alert system.
Some of the most relevant EU regulations in this area are
It forms the legal framework for food safety, including the definition, objectives, principles and general obligations of the players in the food chain.
It lays down general hygiene regulations for food businesses. These include HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles, the registration and approval of food businesses, staff training and pest control.
It lays down specific manufacturing regulations for food of animal origin. These include, for example, requirements for the slaughtering, cutting, cooling, processing and storage of fish, meat, eggs, milk and honey.
It lays down health rules for animal by-products and products derived from them that are not intended for human consumption. These include the categorization and collection, transport, storage, treatment, use and disposal of these products.
It sets maximum levels for contaminants in food. These include, for example, heavy metals, mycotoxins, dioxins and pesticide residues.
FDA regulations set standards for the safety and quality of food in the USA. These also include Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), preventive controls, food safety modernization, nutritional and allergen labeling and the import of food.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission develops globally recognized standards, guidelines and recommendations for food safety and quality. The aim is to protect the health of consumers, prevent unfair trading practices and strengthen international cooperation. To this end, the association deals with issues such as food hygiene, contamination, additives, pesticide residues and veterinary medicines.
Regardless of which specification or framework condition is used: They apply to all players in the food chain. If the national and international monitoring and control systems detect violations, sanctions are imposed. This can result in fines and product withdrawal as well as the closure of businesses or criminal prosecution.
Food control is ensured by various players. They monitor the quality and safety of products through regular audits, inspections and testing procedures.
Food manufacturers must comply with legal requirements, establish quality controls and implement processes such as HACCP, traceability and supplier evaluation.
Authorities check whether hygiene and labeling regulations are being adhered to, take samples and impose sanctions in the event of violations.
Independent laboratories carry out residue analyses, certifications (ISO, IFS, BRC) and sensory tests for quality control.
They play a role by assessing the quality of food and reporting abnormalities to manufacturers or authorities.
The meat industry sets high standards for animal health and welfare, slaughtering and product traceability. In addition, particularly strict hygiene regulations apply in order to prevent pathogens such as salmonella or E. coli.
The dairy industry must guarantee the quality and safety of raw milk and its products, such as cheese and yoghurt, and ensure that the cold chain is maintained.
The bakery industry is obliged to ensure the freshness, aroma, consistency and shelf life of its products. In addition, the composition and ingredient labeling must be complied with, especially with regard to allergens.
The beverage industry is obliged to check the quality and purity of raw materials such as water, fruit, grain and hops. The same applies to the end products, for example juice, beer or wine, for which fermentation, filtration, pasteurization and bottling must also be monitored.
Modern software makes quality control in the food industry much easier. It ensures that automated quality checks are seamlessly integrated into the production process, that test reports and certificates are fully documented and that batches can be traced from the raw material to the end product. It also helps with supplier evaluation by automatically evaluating quality data and supports companies in complying with international standards such as HACCP and ISO22000 - thus avoiding violations and sanctions.
Yaveon's industry-specific ERP solution brings all of this together in one centralized system:
With Yaveon's industry-specific ERP solution, companies can keep an eye on the quality of their products at all times - for maximum safety and efficient, legally compliant production.
Everything about food safety audits – Beitrag öffnen
A food audit involves the inspection of manufacturing, processing and distribution processes in the food industry for quality assurance purposes.
How to trace food and beverages safely – Beitrag öffnen
Traceability means being able to track food throughout its entire life cycle. We explain how you can guarantee this.
Sustainability in the food industry – Beitrag öffnen
How an ERP system for food production helps to reduce waste, lower CO₂ emissions and promote sustainable processes.
