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Food Allergen Control and Management Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing allergen control measures in food processing facilities to ensure proper management, prevent cross-contamination, and comply with labeling regulations.

Food Allergen Control and Management Audit Checklist
by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

Effective allergen control is critical in the food and beverage industry to protect consumers with food allergies and comply with labeling regulations. This Food Allergen Control and Management Audit Checklist is designed to help food safety professionals, quality assurance managers, and production supervisors assess and improve allergen management practices throughout the food production process. By addressing key areas such as ingredient sourcing, storage, handling, production scheduling, cleaning procedures, and labeling, this checklist helps identify potential cross-contamination risks and ensures proper allergen declaration. Regular use of this checklist can significantly reduce the risk of allergen-related incidents, enhance consumer trust, and demonstrate due diligence in allergen management.

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Industry

Food and Beverage

Standard

FSSC 22000, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

Workspaces

Food processing plants

Occupations

Food Safety Manager
Quality Assurance Specialist
Production Supervisor
Allergen Coordinator
Regulatory Compliance Officer

Allergen Control and Management

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1
When was the last allergen audit conducted?

Select the date of the last audit.

To track the frequency of allergen audits for compliance.
2
What percentage of ingredients can be traced back to source?

Enter percentage of ingredients traceable.

To assess the effectiveness of ingredient traceability systems.
Min: 0
Target: 100
Max: 100
3
What training do employees receive regarding allergen management?

Provide details on allergen management training.

To ensure staff are knowledgeable about allergen risks and management practices.
4
Is there a procedure in place to prevent cross-contamination?

Indicate if a prevention procedure is in place.

To minimize the risk of allergen cross-contact.
5
Are all allergens properly labeled on products?

Select compliance status.

To ensure consumers are informed of potential allergens in products.
6
What corrective actions are taken for identified allergen issues?

Describe the corrective actions implemented for allergen issues.

To assess the effectiveness of the corrective actions in place.
7
How many allergen audits are conducted annually?

Enter the number of allergen audits conducted per year.

To determine the frequency of allergen audits for compliance purposes.
Min: 1
Target: 2
Max: 12
8
When was the last allergen training session held?

Select the date of the last training session.

To ensure that employees are regularly trained on allergen management.
9
Is there a system for reporting allergen-related incidents?

Select the status of the reporting system.

To ensure accountability and quick response to allergen incidents.
10
Describe the measures implemented for allergen control.

Provide a detailed description of allergen control measures.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the allergen control measures in place.
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11
When is the next allergen management review scheduled?

Select the date for the next allergen management review.

To ensure ongoing review and improvement of allergen management practices.
12
Is allergen information collected from suppliers?

Indicate if allergen information is collected from suppliers.

To verify that suppliers provide necessary allergen information.
13
What preventive controls are documented for allergen management?

List the preventive controls in place for allergen management.

To ensure that preventive measures are clearly defined and documented.
14
How many high-risk allergens have been identified in your facility?

Enter the number of high-risk allergens identified.

To prioritize allergen management efforts based on identified risks.
Min: 0
Target: 5
Max: 20
15
Has a recent allergen risk assessment been completed?

Select the completion status of the allergen risk assessment.

To ensure that potential allergen risks are regularly evaluated.
16
When was the last review of allergen labeling conducted?

Select the date of the last allergen labeling review.

To verify the currency and accuracy of allergen labeling procedures.
17
Have all employees received training on allergen awareness?

Indicate if all employees have undergone allergen awareness training.

To ensure that all employees are educated about allergen risks and management.
18
How many allergen-related incidents occurred in the last year?

Enter the number of allergen-related incidents in the past year.

To monitor the frequency of allergen incidents and improve preventive measures.
Min: 0
Target: 3
Max: 100
19
Are sanitation procedures in place for areas handling allergens?

Select the status of sanitation procedures.

To confirm that proper sanitation measures are implemented in allergen-sensitive areas.
20
Is the allergen control policy readily available to all employees?

Describe how the allergen control policy is made available to employees.

To ensure that all staff have access to the allergen control policy for proper adherence.
21
When is the next scheduled allergen training session?

Select the date for the next allergen training session.

To ensure ongoing education and awareness regarding allergen management.
22
Is there an emergency response plan for allergen-related incidents?

Indicate if there is an emergency allergen response plan.

To ensure that appropriate actions can be taken in case of allergen emergencies.
23
How often is allergen training conducted for employees?

Enter the frequency of allergen training sessions per year.

To ensure that training on allergen management is provided regularly.
Min: 1
Target: 6
Max: 12
24
What process is in place for verifying allergen information from suppliers?

Describe the supplier allergen verification process.

To ensure that allergen information provided by suppliers is accurate and reliable.
25
Is the allergen control plan reviewed at least annually?

Select the review status of the allergen control plan.

To ensure that the allergen control plan remains effective and up-to-date.

FAQs

Allergen control audits should be conducted at least quarterly, with more frequent checks on critical control points. Additionally, audits should be performed whenever there are changes in ingredients, suppliers, or production processes that may impact allergen management.

Key areas include ingredient receiving and storage practices, production scheduling to minimize cross-contact, cleaning and sanitation procedures between allergen changeovers, employee training on allergen handling, and verification of accurate allergen labeling on finished products.

Allergen control audits should involve a cross-functional team including quality assurance managers, food safety specialists, production supervisors, and representatives from procurement and packaging departments to ensure comprehensive coverage of all aspects of allergen management.

Important documentation includes ingredient specifications, supplier allergen statements, production schedules, cleaning validation records, employee training logs, and finished product label verification records.

Audit results can be used to identify gaps in allergen management practices, implement corrective actions, update allergen control procedures, enhance employee training programs, and improve supplier management to strengthen overall food safety and allergen control measures.

Benefits

Ensures compliance with allergen labeling regulations

Reduces the risk of allergen cross-contamination in food products

Improves traceability of allergen-containing ingredients

Enhances consumer safety and trust in food products

Minimizes the potential for costly product recalls due to undeclared allergens