Perform IFS Audit – Food Standard V8 Inspection using eAuditor
IFS Audit – Food Standard Version 8 refers to the evaluation process used to assess a food business’s compliance with the International Featured Standards (IFS) Food Version 8, a globally recognized GFSI-benchmarked food safety and quality standard. Released in April 2023 and mandatory as of October 1, 2023, IFS Food V8 focuses on verifying that food manufacturers produce safe, legal, and high-quality food products under consistent and controlled processes.
Performing an IFS Audit – Food Standard V8 Inspection using eAuditor ensures a structured and detailed assessment of food safety, quality management, and compliance systems in accordance with international food manufacturing standards. This approach supports continual improvement, regulatory adherence, and readiness for third-party certification audits under the latest version of the IFS Food Standard.
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Purpose of the Inspection
The IFS Food V8 Audit using eAuditor is performed to assess whether a food production facility meets the key requirements of the IFS Audit – Food Standard Version 8, which focuses on:
- Ensuring the safety and legality of food products
- Maintaining a strong food safety culture across the organization
- Implementing and maintaining a risk-based food safety management system (FSMS)
- Supporting customer satisfaction through quality, consistency, and transparency
This inspection aids in identifying gaps before a formal certification audit and helps facilities maintain high standards continuously.
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Preparing the eAuditor Checklist for IFS Food V8
2.1 Key Audit Categories to Include
To align your eAuditor checklist with IFS Audit – Food Standard V8, include the following structured sections:
- Senior Management Responsibility
- Leadership commitment to food safety culture
- Internal communication and team accountability
- Organizational structure and documented responsibilities
- Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS)
- HACCP Plan (Codex-aligned) with flow diagrams and CCP identification
- Document control, policy updates, and change management
- Traceability and recall procedures
- Resource and Personnel Management
- Staff training, competence evaluations, and hygiene protocols
- Infrastructure maintenance (e.g., water supply, air flow, lighting)
- PPE usage, locker rooms, and hygiene zones
- Operational Processes
- Allergen management, cleaning, and sanitation schedules
- Pest control, maintenance records, and foreign body controls
- Shelf-life studies, temperature records, and packaging controls
- Product Monitoring and Improvement
- Internal audits, corrective actions, and customer complaints
- Testing programs (e.g., microbiological, chemical, physical)
- Equipment calibration and verification protocols
- Food Defense and Food Fraud
- Food defense plan based on risk analysis
- Vulnerability assessments and mitigation measures
- Supply chain verification and supplier audits
2.2 Advanced Features to Use in eAuditor
- Conditional logic to display only relevant items based on product or process type
- Scoring system to mimic IFS audit grading (A, B, C, D, or KO Non-conformities)
- Photo evidence fields for visual documentation of risks or good practices
- Custom response types like dropdowns, yes/no toggles, and text boxes
- Digital signatures for audit validation by QA managers or inspectors
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Conducting the Inspection
3.1 Before the Audit
- Review the latest IFS Audit – Food Standard V8 documentation and internal policies
- Notify department heads and staff about the scope and goals of the internal audit
- Ensure all devices are loaded with the updated eAuditor checklist
3.2 On-Site Inspection Process
Systematically walk through production, packaging, and storage areas while inspecting:
- Staff hygiene practices in high-risk zones
- Effectiveness and validation of cleaning procedures
- Temperature logs for cold rooms, blast chillers, and hot holding units
- Pest control station placement and documentation
- Visual inspection for cross-contact risks (e.g., allergens, raw vs. cooked)
- Food defense points: entry access, visitor logs, and tamper-evident seals
Simultaneously:
- Capture real-time observations and attach photos
- Interview line staff to assess knowledge of SOPs and HACCP
- Check documentation for training records, SOPs, audit logs, and complaints
3.3 Live Data Capture and Issue Tracking
- Record deviations or observations directly in the app
- Use the “Flag for Follow-up” feature for high-risk or KO (Knock-Out) areas
- Assign immediate tasks if urgent food safety concerns arise
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Post-Inspection Reporting and Corrective Actions
4.1 Generating Reports
Once the inspection is complete:
- Automatically generate a detailed report with:
- Section-wise compliance score
- KO item status and corrective action summary
- Supporting photos and inspector notes
- Digital signatures and timestamps
- Export in multiple formats (PDF, Word, Excel) and share instantly with QA teams or management
4.2 Managing Corrective Actions in eAuditor
- Assign each non-conformity to the responsible team members within the platform
- Set due dates, add root cause analysis, and request verification photos or documents
- Use the Actions Dashboard to monitor resolution status, overdue tasks, and priority levels
4.3 Closing the Loop
- Conduct follow-up audits or verifications within eAuditor
- Document preventive actions and system updates for future reference
- Update training materials based on common findings and trends
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Continuous Monitoring and Audit Readiness
- Schedule recurring inspections in eAuditor (weekly, monthly, quarterly)
- Use built-in analytics to review compliance trends over time
- Keep all documents—SOPs, training logs, and test reports—centrally stored and linked
- Integrate IFS Food V8 audits with related forms (e.g., allergen checks, hygiene checks, cleaning logs) for holistic oversight
Summary
Performing an IFS Audit – Food Standard V8 Inspection using eAuditor helps food manufacturing facilities uphold global standards for safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. With digital checklists tailored to IFS Food V8 requirements, real-time data collection, photo documentation, and automated reporting, eAuditor empowers QA teams to detect gaps early, enforce corrective actions, and demonstrate a strong food safety culture. This not only supports successful IFS certification audits but also builds long-term trust with customers and stakeholders.