Food Defence System Auditing

Service summary

A review of existing arrangements for addressing intentional contamination threats. The audit examines whether the organisation’s threat assessment is reflected in practical access, personnel and operational safeguards.

The service gives management evidence of implementation and maintenance of its food defence arrangements. Sensitive findings are handled through agreed restricted reporting; the audit does not design attack scenarios or guarantee protection from deliberate harm.

Key objectives

• Evaluate existing threat-assessment coverage
• Examine implementation of defence controls
• Assess awareness and response arrangements
• Identify unresolved protection weaknesses

Methodology

The review uses controlled access to sensitive information and risk-based sampling of existing food defence arrangements, without intrusive penetration testing.

• Agree scope, sensitive-information controls and food defence criteria.
• Review existing threat assessments, responsibilities and site arrangements.
• Select relevant access points, activities and records for assessment.
• Observe implemented personnel, visitor and material access controls.
• Interview designated staff and examine training and response records.
• Evaluate reassessment, incidents and corrective action follow-through.
• Issue a restricted report identifying substantiated control weaknesses.

Key outcomes

References: [G04]

• Restricted food defence assessment
• Threat-to-control implementation findings
• Awareness and response evidence
• Documented reassessment gaps