Boots on the Ground: Are There Enough Food Safety Auditors to Go Around?

By Allie Gallant 

With a globalized food supply and the growth of global food safety standards, the need for qualified auditors around the world is exploding – leaving some wondering whether we can keep up.

Auditors play a crucial role in food safety.

They are the ‘watchdogs’, charged with ensuring businesses are adhering to the requirements of global food safety standards – not just on paper, but every day within their facilities. They are the eyes and ears of industry, and their presence is critical to maintain confidence in the integrity of standards and the safety of our food.

Currently, demand for auditors is outstripping supply, despite aggressive recruiting by certification bodies. The question is, why are we facing this shortfall?  And how can we hasten a balancing of supply and demand?

Calling All Auditors!

In facing down the auditor shortfall, two main issues come to the fore: auditor training, and career development.