Challenges
Prior to partnering with Food Safety Assist, Borough Broth faced difficulties stemming from a large retailer audit that highlighted areas needing improvement. The audit brought to light several corrective actions that had to be addressed to meet the retailer’s stringent food safety expectations. Although Borough Broth had achieved SALSA and Organic Standards, navigating the specific requirements of the retailer’s audit was beyond the technical expertise of their internal team.
Moreover, the company’s existing consultancy arrangement was not effectively helping them resolve the issues identified in the audit. Borough Broth’s lack of specialised technical knowledge made it challenging to implement the required changes, potentially jeopardising their relationship with a key retail customer and putting their food safety reputation at risk.
Preparation & Implementation
Food Safety Assist stepped in to provide the expertise and guidance Borough Broth needed to navigate the retailer’s audit requirements. The initial focus was on mentoring the existing team and supporting them in developing corrective actions to address the points raised during the audit. This support involved not just compliance with the audit’s demands, but also empowering the team to understand and manage the underlying food safety principles that would prevent similar issues in the future.
The assistance from Food Safety Assist was comprehensive, extending beyond immediate compliance needs. Their experts conducted a detailed microbiological review of Borough Broth’s critical food control processes to ensure that the company’s safety systems were robust and effective. This review, although beyond the typical remit, provided an additional layer of assurance that Borough Broth’s food safety protocols were sound.
Furthermore, a pre-audit assessment was conducted to help the company prepare for the next round of inspections, refining their systems to be audit-ready. Through mentoring process and hands-on guidance, Food Safety Assist played a key role in not only resolving the issues raised in the audit but also in strengthening the company’s food safety culture and operational resilience.
Outcomes & Results
The collaboration with Food Safety Assist resulted in significant improvements for Borough Broth. The company successfully addressed all the corrective actions from the retailer’s audit, enabling them to maintain their key retail contract and demonstrate their commitment to high food safety standards. This achievement marked a step forward in the company’s capability to manage food safety requirements independently.
As a direct outcome of the mentoring and system improvements, Borough Broth developed a deeper understanding of food safety controls, leading to a more structured and effective approach to managing their operations. The enhanced internal capability allowed them to hire their own Technical Manager, a testament to the progress made in building a self-sufficient food safety management system.
With Food Safety Assist’s support, Borough Broth reached a level of self-management in food safety compliance that is unusual among clients, as most continue to rely on long-term consultancy support. This reflects the success of the collaboration in not only addressing immediate needs but also in laying the foundation for sustainable food safety practices within the company.
