FOOD & BEVERAGE AUDITCOMPLY
Time for a paper cut – the rise of digitised quality and compliance
For highly regulated markets such as food manufacturing, there is no room for error when it comes to safety, quality and compliance
By Richard Wilson, Marketing Manager, Nulogy B
ut, for the many businesses in the sector still relying on pen and paper systems to manage food safety and quality assurance
inaccuracies is high. Richard Wilson, Marketing Manager for Nulogy, looks at the future of fool- proof compliance and quality management. According to recent research, 49 per cent of
UK businesses are still operating a physical paper , and while for non-manufacturing companies the consequences of this may be limited to inconvenience, for highly regulated industries such as food and beverage, the Aside from the obvious potential for human
error, there is also the impact on audit, recall or investigation responses. Using a paper system penalties and operational disruption if there for these scenarios, alongside potentially unfair reputational damage if the available paperwork does not accurately represent the systems in place.
THE NEED TO SCALE AND STANDARDISE standardise. For fast growing food brands operating and launching multiple sites, the manual documentation of FSQA processes can make it near-impossible to ensure consistency across all facilities, and the opportunity to compare data between sites is lost. While manufacturers using these systems
are likely well aware of the challenges of pen and paper, the possibility of transitioning to a digital solution may seem unrealistic in relation to the complexity of existing processes and the amount of information which would need to be transferred, potentially preventing them from making the leap.
SUPPORTING A TRANSITION TO DIGITALISATION However, while large-scale system change may seem daunting, the reality is that the right specialist provider can make the transition painless, retaining existing processes in a digital format and providing support throughout the development and implementation of the new system.
For Sysco Corporation, the world’s largest
foodservice distributor, digitalising FSQA transformed operations, increased yield, improved quality and provided total compliance visibility.
SYSCO SPECIALTY MEAT GROUP – A CASE STUDY Serving over 620,000 customer locations in the food and hospitality sectors across the UK, U.S., Canada, and beyond, Sysco operates over 330 distribution facilities generating annual revenues exceeding US$50 billion. The Specialty Meat & Seafood (SSMG) division
provides high-quality, fresh and frozen meat and seafood products, and, along with the entire Sysco portfolio, roots its commitment to food safety in a However, its reliance on traditional paper- based processes for food safety and quality data inconsistencies. Manual records were prone to loss or damage, complicating compliance and data integrity, while the lack of real-time visibility hindered proactive issue resolution and performance improvement.
ENHANCING DATA, COMPLIANCE AND TRANSPARENCY To address these challenges, Sysco appointed Belfast-based AuditComply, part of purpose-built software for external manufacturing provider Nulogy, to streamline operations, enhance data accuracy, ensure regulatory compliance and to meet consumer demands for better transparency. A fully automated FSQA framework, from Metal more, was implemented using customisable audit templates, along with the creation of a centralised document repository for ease of traceability. This
16 November/December 2025 Irish Manufacturing
centralisation, along with real time analytics and more informed decisions on both a site-by-site and big picture basis as well as ensuring traceability.
MULTI-PLANT MONITORING AuditComply’s purpose-built system also provided the capability for multi-plant monitoring, including consistent practices across all facilities, whilst accommodating individual site requirements. Additionally, real time alerts and structured NC/ to critical control point deviations, allowing for effective incident management. Supplier portals and raw material assessments
were built into the management system, facilitating collaboration, reducing non-compliance costs and enhancing supplier quality and accountability, resulting in savings of over $4M annually via improved raw material claim backs. SSMG is just one example, alongside businesses such as Bushmills and Lakeland Dairies, of how manufacturers can not only improve quality, safety and risk management in their operations but make management software.
DELIVERING COMPLIANCE FOR FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND BEYOND With ever more stringent regulations and growing consumer demand for transparency, working alongside software businesses like AuditComply manufacturers, delivering effortless compliance and quality assurance as well as providing the opportunity to make data driven decisions which optimise operations and assist in scaling.
https://www.auditcomply.com/
www.irish-manufacturing.com
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