Pre-Audit Service Plans Ensure Customer Audit Readiness
With many large food retailers adopting HACCP-based standards such as the Global Food Safety Initiative and the British Retailer's Code, rigorous in-plant audits of food processors and manufacturers are increasing at a rapid pace. Customized pre-audit service plans from Mettler-Toledo Hi-Speed and Mettler-Toledo Safeline ensure that your checkweighers, metal detectors and x-ray inspection equipment is operating to specification. Both Mettler-Toledo Hi-Speed and Mettler-Toledo Safeline will work closely with you to design a pre-audit program that meets your specific needs.
One manufacturer turned to Mettler-Toledo Safeline for a systematized annual pre-audit program for their 70-plus metal detectors and x-ray inspection systems. Their annual pre-audit contract, which was recently renewed for a third straight year, ensures that all their Safeline product inspection equipment will pass strenuous yearly audits. The value to them is clear – if a metal detector x-ray inspection system does pass the audit, it must be pulled from the line and the line must be shut down until it is either recalibrated or replaced.
Under their customized pre-audit contract, two Mettler-Toledo Safeline service technicians visit their plant four times per year, spending two full days during each visit verifying and documenting that 15-20 machines are in compliance with customer requirements. The four times per year schedule insures that all 70-plus machines have been pre-audited at least once in the previous 12 months no matter when an actual compliance audit occurs. Each machine is rigorously tested to the required detection sensitivity and a thorough analysis of the machine's performance and condition occurs. If there is anything that is not functioning to peak performance, it is remedied before the technician leaves the facility.
The Performance Verification Certificate that is completed by the Mettler-Toledo Safeline technicians provides documented assurance that all their product inspection equipment is operating at peak performance and the manufacturer can be confident that the equipment will pass an audit every time. Furthermore, their large retailer customers can also be confident that they are receiving products that meet their stringent quality standards.