Perform ISO 22000 Internal Audit using eAuditor
ISO 22000 Internal Audit refers to a systematic, independent, and documented process used to evaluate whether an organization’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS) conforms to the requirements of ISO 22000 and is effectively implemented and maintained. It plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance, and continual improvement within the organization.
Performing an ISO 22000 Internal Audit using eAuditor ensures a structured, efficient, and evidence-based evaluation of your Food Safety Management System (FSMS) to verify compliance with ISO 22000:2018. Through real-time data capture, clause-aligned checklists, automated reporting, and corrective action tracking, eAuditor enables food safety teams to assess system effectiveness, identify non-conformities, and drive continual improvement in food safety performance and compliance.
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Preparation for ISO 22000 Internal Audit Using eAuditor
1.1 Define Audit Scope and Objectives
- Determine the audit purpose:
- Verify FSMS conformance to ISO 22000:2018
- Prepare for external certification audits
- Evaluate the effectiveness of food safety controls
- Set audit scope:
- Entire organization or specific processes (e.g., HACCP, PRPs)
- Single site or multiple production units
- Identify audit criteria:
- ISO 22000 clauses
- Internal procedures, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations
1.2 Gather Reference Materials
- ISO 22000:2018 standard
- The organization’s food safety policy and objectives
- FSMS documentation (HACCP plans, PRPs, SOPs)
- Previous internal audit reports
- CAPA logs, monitoring records, and training data
1.3 Build or Customize an eAuditor Checklist
Create or import a digital ISO 22000 internal audit checklist covering:
- Clause-by-clause compliance (aligned to ISO 22000:2018)
- Specific focus areas such as:
- Hazard analysis
- Monitoring and verification
- Management reviews
- Corrective actions
- Checklist fields should include:
- Compliance status (Compliant, Partial, Non-Compliant, N/A)
- Notes/observations
- Attachments (photos, documents)
- Responsible person assignment
- Priority level (High, Medium, Low)
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Conducting the Internal Audit Using eAuditor
2.1 Execute Clause-Based Evaluation
Use eAuditor to systematically audit the FSMS across these key ISO 22000 areas:
Clause 4 – Context of the Organization
- Has the organization identified internal and external food safety issues?
- Are the relevant interested parties’ requirements addressed?
Clause 5 – Leadership
- Is top management committed to the FSMS?
- Are the food safety policy and objectives communicated and aligned?
Clause 6 – Planning
- Are risks and opportunities identified?
- Are food safety objectives measurable and monitored?
Clause 7 – Support
- Are adequate resources, trained personnel, and infrastructure in place?
- Is communication and documentation control effective?
Clause 8 – Operation
- Are PRPs implemented and maintained?
- Is hazard analysis conducted and updated?
- Are CCPs identified, monitored, and verified?
Clause 9 – Performance Evaluation
- Are food safety performance and trends monitored?
- Are internal audits and management reviews carried out?
Clause 10 – Improvement
- Are non-conformities documented and analyzed?
- Are corrective actions implemented and reviewed for effectiveness?
2.2 Record Real-Time Findings and Evidence
- Input findings directly into eAuditor:
- Mark clause compliance status
- Add observations and supporting comments
- Capture photos or documents (e.g., process flows, temp logs, calibration certificates)
- Use voice-to-text for quicker note-taking
- Tag non-compliant items and classify risk level
2.3 Collaborate with Teams During the Audit
- Use shared access and team sync features:
- Collaborate across departments
- Assign findings and actions to the responsible team members
- Use @mentions for clarification or issue escalation
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Post-Audit Actions and Reporting in eAuditor
3.1 Generate Automated Internal Audit Reports
- Instantly create a professional report including:
- Clause-by-clause compliance overview
- Non-conformities with photos and notes
- Action items with assignees and due dates
- Overall FSMS audit score or compliance percentage
- Export reports as:
- PDF for internal reviews and management
- Web links for team collaboration
- Excel for detailed data tracking
3.2 Assign and Track Corrective Actions
- Create CAPA tasks for every non-conformity:
- Define action, assign owner, and set deadline
- Attach reference materials or evidence
- Track completion status:
- Labels like Open, In Progress, Overdue, Closed
- Auto-reminders for pending or overdue actions
3.3 Use eAuditor Analytics to Monitor Trends
- Access dashboards to:
- View compliance trends over time
- Identify frequently non-compliant clauses or departments
- Compare audit scores by location or process
- Track CAPA resolution times and effectiveness
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Key Focus Areas to Include in the ISO 22000 eAuditor Checklist
- HACCP plan validation and updates
- CCP monitoring and verification records
- Allergen control and traceability
- Pest control and sanitation logs
- Supplier approval and raw material inspection
- Calibration and equipment maintenance
- Temperature control and cold chain management
- Non-conformance logs and corrective action tracking
- Training records and employee awareness
- Emergency preparedness and product recall procedures
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Benefits of Using eAuditor for ISO 22000 Internal Audit
- Digital checklist standardization across locations
- Real-time data capture with mobile or desktop access
- Photo/document evidence is attached to each observation
- Automated reporting and CAPA assignment
- Analytics dashboard for trend tracking and KPI monitoring
- Cloud-based storage for centralized audit records
- Audit readiness for third-party certification and inspections
Summary
Conducting an ISO 22000 Internal Audit using eAuditor transforms traditional paper-based audits into a modern, digital experience—empowering food businesses to ensure FSMS compliance, identify weaknesses, track corrective actions, and continuously improve food safety performance. With clause-aligned checklists, real-time collaboration, photo evidence, and analytics, eAuditor helps ensure that food safety risks are systematically managed and regulatory expectations are consistently met.