The food industry’s leading provider of food assurance solutions SAI Global/EFSIS is now offering to carry out gap audits, assisting organisations in its implementation of version 5 of the BRC Global Food Standard. All BRC Food audits from July 1, 2008 will be conducted against version 5 of the standard, and SAI Global/EFSIS will be offering gap audits until the end of June 2008.

SAI Global/EFSIS has a client base of more than 5,000 food manufacturers and 25,000 farmers, across 17 different sections of the food industry from fresh produce to fish, poultry, dairy and meat.

Company technical manager of SAI Global/EFSIS Emma West said: “Once we have identified gaps in current systems, we will be able to assist sites in the planning of their implementation project, allowing them to move forward to their certification audit with more confidence.”

Gap audits will be carried out on site, covering all aspects of the food or packaging standards. Details of any non-compliances will be left with the site at the end of the audit, in order for the site to carry on and implement its plan of action prior to its first full audit against new versions of the food or packaging standards.

Version 5 of the food standard has a more rigorous grading system and requires increased levels of management commitment, therefore SAI Global/EFSIS has prepared a gap analysis tool, which it will provide to clients in order for them to understand the requirements of the standard, so they are fully aware of the areas on which they will need to focus.