How to Approach an ISO 22000 Audit with Confidence
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after guiding food manufacturers, processors, and distributors through ISO 22000 audits, it’s this: most audit problems don’t come from complex technical gaps. They come from preparation that looks good on paper but isn’t fully embedded in daily operations.
The ISO 22000 audit isn’t designed to trick you. It’s designed to confirm one thing—whether your food-safety management system works consistently, under real conditions, with real people.
This guide is written for organizations aiming to pass the ISO 22000 audit on the first attempt. Not by rushing before audit day, but by understanding how auditors think, what they focus on, and how to present a system that is controlled, stable, and effective.
By the end, you’ll understand the full audit journey—from preparation to Stage 1, Stage 2, and closing findings—so you can walk into your audit calm, structured, and confident.
Understanding the ISO 22000 Audit Process
Before preparing for the audit, it’s important to understand what the ISO 22000 audit actually is.
The certification audit is not a document review exercise. Auditors are evaluating whether your FSMS is designed correctly, implemented consistently, and capable of controlling food-safety hazards over time.
The audit process typically includes:
A Stage 1 audit to assess readiness
A Stage 2 audit to verify implementation and effectiveness
Ongoing surveillance audits after certification
Auditors work using a process-based approach. They follow the flow of your operations, trace hazards from raw material to finished product, and look for alignment between what you documented and what actually happens.
This is important because even strong documentation won’t protect you if day-to-day practices don’t match it.
Pro Tip: Always think in terms of evidence flow. If a hazard exists, auditors will look for the control, the record, and the person responsible.
Common Pitfall: Treating the audit as a checklist exercise rather than a system evaluation.
Pre-Audit Preparation: Building Audit Readiness Before the Auditor Arrives
Successful audits are decided long before the audit date.
Audit readiness means your FSMS has been operating consistently—not just completed. Certification bodies expect to see evidence that your system is stable and mature.
Strong pre-audit preparation includes:
A defined and accurate certification scope
Implemented PRPs relevant to your operations
A completed and logical hazard analysis
CCP and OPRP controls operating consistently
Records available for a reasonable period
Completed internal audits
A meaningful management review
In one audit I supported, two companies had similar processes and documentation. One passed smoothly. The other faced delays. The difference wasn’t complexity—it was that one had three months of consistent records, while the other relied on last-minute completion.
Pro Tip: Don’t schedule the audit until your system has been running long enough to show patterns, not just compliance.
Common Pitfall: Treating the audit date as the start of implementation instead of the confirmation of it.
Corrective actions are not about pleasing auditors. They’re about strengthening your FSMS.
Strong corrective actions include:
Immediate containment
Clear root-cause analysis
Practical, systemic actions
Verification over time
Clear documentation
Auditors expect evidence that actions work—not just that they were planned.
Pro Tip: Verification is what turns a corrective action into a preventive one.
Common Pitfall: Rushing closure without proving effectiveness.
Audit Day Strategy: Communicating Clearly with Auditors
How you communicate during the audit matters.
Best practices include:
One audit coordinator
Clear, honest answers
Evidence-based responses
Calm handling of findings
Structured opening and closing meetings
Auditors respect clarity and transparency.
Pro Tip: If you don’t know an answer, say so—and show how you’ll verify it.
Common Pitfall: Over-explaining or speculating.
FAQs
How long does an ISO 22000 audit take? Duration depends on scope, size, and complexity, typically split between Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Can an organization fail an ISO 22000 audit? Certification isn’t “failed,” but major nonconformities must be corrected before certification proceeds.
What is the best way to pass the audit the first time? Consistent implementation, strong internal audits, and aligned documentation and practice.
Conclusion: Passing Your ISO 22000 Audit Is About Control, Not Perfection
Passing an ISO 22000 audit the first time doesn’t require perfection. It requires control, consistency, and clarity.
When your FSMS is implemented properly, your team understands their roles, and your records reflect reality, the audit becomes a confirmation—not a confrontation.
Approach the audit as validation of a system you already trust, and success follows naturally.
Melissa Lavaro is a seasoned ISO consultant and an enthusiastic advocate for quality management standards. With a rich experience in conducting audits and providing consultancy services, Melissa specializes in helping organizations implement and adapt to ISO standards. Her passion for quality management is evident in her hands-on approach and deep understanding of the regulatory frameworks. Melissa’s expertise and energetic commitment make her a sought-after consultant, dedicated to elevating organizational compliance and performance through practical, insightful guidance.
