Steritech Enhances GMP Auditing Program
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Steritech Group, Inc., one of the premier providers of food safety and quality assurance services in North America, is expanding its "farm-to-fork" approach to food safety and quality assurance by continuing to expand its Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) programs. The company, which counts some of the leading retail food companies (grocery stores, restaurants, and other food service operators) among its clients, has upgraded its Supplier Audit offering with a comprehensive auditor training and education program, coupled with sophisticated new auditing software.
"These Supplier Audits are a powerful, cost-effective way for retail food companies to ensure that their suppliers and distributors have the pre-requisite GMPs and quality systems in place to operate according to industry standards and best practices," explains Mark Jarvis, president of Steritech's Food Safety Division. "Ultimately, the value of these audits depends on the quality of the auditor, both in terms of their academic background and industry experience."
Jarvis notes that Steritech employs a staff of nearly 100 full-time auditors, many of whom hold advanced degrees in microbiology, food science, dietetics and nutrition. These auditors have significant expertise in a range of food production and processing areas, including: dairy, low-acid canning, USDA meat and poultry, seafood, juice, animal welfare, and bottled water.
In addition to holding high-level academic degrees, every Steritech auditor is a Certified Food Safety Professional, a credential of the National Environmental Health Association. The company has further invested in the professional development of these experts via a series of advanced GMP training classes, which give auditors additional knowledge in areas such as quality management systems, bio-security and HACCP systems. These classes, coupled with Steritech's standard training and development programs, help to ensure that all Steritech auditors are highly calibrated and consistent – a hallmark of the company's business approach.
Expertise Supported with Technology
To meet the unique needs of Supplier Audits, Steritech has upgraded its auditing software with new audit modules for individual industry segments. Now covering more than 1,000 inspection line items, the software has the power to quickly and easily capture and analyze data from even the most detailed and complex GMP audits, including user-defined data as well as data based on standards such as the FDA Food Code and federal, state and local laws.
Steritech's software harnesses the power of an Electrovaya, an XP tablet-based handheld computer, to provide real-time, on-site reports, which can be customized for needs across an organization. Data and analysis continue to be available after the audit through Steritech's web based reporting system. Reporting features include detailed summary reports, repeat violation reports, common problems, trends and comparisons, corrective action reporting, closed loop functionality and data download capabilities. An automated email notification component ensures that key players are informed of audit results as and when they happen.
Steritech's auditing process is consultative and educational, with a strong emphasis on process improvement. Following an audit, facility management is given a thorough debriefing, and a printed report is left on site, capturing the audit findings and recommended corrective actions.
About The Steritech Group, Inc.
The Steritech Group, Inc. provides consulting, training and auditing products and services in the areas of food safety, public health and brand protection. Steritech offers the industry's most accurate and consistent third party audit program utilizing a team of highly qualified, trained and calibrated auditors. Steritech has powerful data capture and web reporting capabilities and offers its proprietary software to clients for internal auditing and reporting purposes. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is a trusted partner to many of the world's leading food service, retail, hospitality, food processing and health care companies. Steritech is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and operates throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America. For more information on Steritech or the services it offers, visit www.steritech.com.
Source: The Steritech Group, Inc.