An effective SQF internal audit doesn’t end with just an audit report. In fact, the real work begins after the findings are documented. If you want to create a food safety culture that is strong, responsive, and improvement-driven, your next move should be closing out audit findings with clarity, structure, and accountability.
In this blog, we guide you through the process of evaluating internal audit findings, identifying root causes, implementing corrective and preventive actions, and verifying results. This is where continuous improvement becomes more than just a phrase — it becomes practice.
Step 1: Review and Prioritize Your Internal Audit Findings
Once your internal audit is complete, consolidate all findings and categorize them:
- Compliant but with opportunities for improvement (SQF doesn’t have opportunities for improvements in the actual scoring but nothing will stop you from adding this in your internal audit.
- Minor non-conformances
- Major non-conformances
Prioritize based on food safety risk, frequency, and potential impact on compliance. Not every issue will require the same level of response, but every issue deserves review.
Step 2: Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to Determine Reasons for Non-Conformance from Your Internal Audit Findings
Jumping to conclusions is tempting, but effective corrective action starts with understanding why the problem occurred.
Techniques you can use:
- 5 Whys: Keep asking “Why?” until you reach the systemic issue.
- Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram: Explore multiple categories—man, machine, method, material, environment.
Ask yourself:
- Is this a one-time mistake or a symptom of a system failure?
- Was the training ineffective or was the procedure unclear?
- Did we miss something in our risk assessment?
Document your root cause clearly—it will guide everything else.
Step 3: Define and Implement Corrective Actions to Correct Non-Conformances.
Once the root cause is known, implement actions that address it directly. This is not about applying a band-aid; it’s about fixing the system.
Your corrective action should:
- Be specific and practical
- Identify responsible personnel
- Have a due date for completion
- Include employee retraining if applicable
Example:
Finding: Metal detector validation log not filled out on weekends.
Root Cause: Weekend shift unaware of requirement due to outdated training material. Why? They are not trained?
Why? Our procedures do not include training procedures.
Corrective Action: Update training material and re-train all weekend staff. QA Supervisor to review weekend logs weekly for the next 8 weeks.
Step 4: Prevent Recurrence with Preventive Actions
Preventive actions go beyond correction. They ask: How can we make sure this doesn’t happen again—in this area or others?
Examples include:
- Updating or clarifying procedures
- Revising training programs
- Increasing internal monitoring
- Conducting refresher sessions
- Improving communication between shifts or departments
Preventive actions strengthen the entire system, not just the specific finding.
Step 5: Verify Effectiveness in Your Corrections and Preventive Actions
Don’t just assume your corrective action worked. You need evidence. Schedule a follow-up audit, targeted observation, or documentation review to confirm:
- The issue was addressed as planned
- The corrective action is still in place
- The same issue hasn’t reappeared
If the fix didn’t work, go back to your root cause. You might have misidentified it.
Step 6: Document Every Step
A well-managed internal audit finding should result in a complete paper trail:
- Original observation
- Root cause analysis
- Corrective action details
- Verification evidence
- Closure date
This is critical for your next SQF audit. It shows that you not only found problems but actively improved your system.
Tip: Use a Corrective Action Request (CAR) form or digital log to manage this process.
Step 7: Share and Communicate Learnings
Don’t let audit findings stay buried in the QA department. Share learnings with the broader team. This promotes a culture of transparency and improvement.
Ways to communicate:
- Quick huddle meetings to review outcomes
- Monthly food safety bulletin or email
- Department-specific retraining
- Management reviews
When everyone knows what went wrong and how it was fixed — you reinforce shared responsibility for food safety.
Treat Audit Findings as Opportunities
It’s easy to feel discouraged when an internal audit uncovers gaps. But in reality, every finding is a gift— an opportunity to improve, train, and strengthen your system.
By handling audit findings with care, structure, and intent, you are improving your program, whether it is SQF or for HACCP program from one of compliance to one of continuous excellence.
Internal audits show you where you stand. Closing findings is how you move forward.
Need Help Managing Internal Audit Findings or Writing CAPAs? Felicia Loo and SFPM Consulting can support you with structured audit review sessions, corrective action coaching, and documentation development to help you maintain strong compliance with confidence.
Book a free consultation with Felicia to learn more. Your next audit success starts here.