Establishing & Maintaining a Food Safety Culture
Aligned with BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 – Clause 1.1 Senior Management Commitment
Requirement Overview: BRCGS Clause 1.1.2
“The site’s senior management shall define and maintain a clear plan for the development and continuing improvement of a food safety and quality culture.”
A food safety culture must be deliberately built, supported by leadership, and continuously improved. BRCGS requires documented strategies and active involvement from senior management to promote behaviors and values that support food safety at every level of the organization.
Aligned with BRCGS for Storage & Distribution Issue 4 – Clause 4.3.1 & 4.3.3
Requirement Overview
BRCGS for Storage & Distribution requires that products moved via cross-docking are traceable and controlled at all times, even when they are not held in storage for extended periods.
Clause 4.3.1: “The company shall ensure that traceability is maintained at all stages, including during cross-docking operations.”
Clause 4.3.3: “Procedures shall be in place to ensure that all products handled, including those not stored on-site, remain under control and are not subject to contamination or substitution.”
Cross-docking operations must not compromise product traceability, safety, or integrity. Even with minimal handling and temporary presence, each product must be accurately identified, documented, and protected.
Key Compliance Objectives
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✓ Demonstrate leadership and accountability in food safety
✓ Engage staff at all levels in food safety behaviors
✓ Monitor and evaluate culture-building activities
✓ Maintain documentation and records for audit readiness
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1. Develop a Food Safety Culture Plan
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Plan Components:
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• Vision and goals aligned with company mission and BRCGS expectations
• Actions to embed food safety into daily operations
• Assigned roles, responsibilities, and budget
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Documented food safety culture strategy
• Signed plan by senior leadership
• Resource allocation or activity calendar
- • Vision and goals aligned with company mission and BRCGS expectations • Actions to embed food safety into daily operations • Assigned roles, responsibilities, and budget
- • Documented food safety culture strategy • Signed plan by senior leadership • Resource allocation or activity calendar
2. Promote Leadership Visibility
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Senior Management Must:
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• Lead by example in food safety practices
• Participate in meetings, briefings, and audits
• Communicate culture goals and expectations
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Memos, announcements, and meeting attendance logs
• Records of site visits, walkthroughs, or townhalls
• • Internal newsletters or culture campaigns
- • Lead by example in food safety practices • Participate in meetings, briefings, and audits • Communicate culture goals and expectations
- • Memos, announcements, and meeting attendance logs • Records of site visits, walkthroughs, or townhalls • • Internal newsletters or culture campaigns
3. Engage Staff Across the Organization
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Engagement Methods:
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• Surveys, interviews, and suggestion boxes
• Recognition programs for food safety behavior
• Staff-led improvement initiatives
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Completed staff perception surveys
• Recognition program documentation
• Team meeting notes and improvement action logs
- • Surveys, interviews, and suggestion boxes • Recognition programs for food safety behavior • Staff-led improvement initiatives
- • Completed staff perception surveys • Recognition program documentation • Team meeting notes and improvement action logs
4. Monitor Progress and Measure Effectiveness
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Metrics May Include:
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• Training participation rates and assessments
• Audit findings tied to behaviors or procedures
• Incident reporting frequency and staff feedback
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Dashboard or tracking logs for KPIs
• Food safety culture evaluation reports
• Internal audit records and summaries
- • Training participation rates and assessments • Audit findings tied to behaviors or procedures • Incident reporting frequency and staff feedback
- • Dashboard or tracking logs for KPIs • Food safety culture evaluation reports • Internal audit records and summaries
5. Review Annually and Drive Improvement
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Review Activities:
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• Analyze performance vs. goals
• Identify barriers and areas for reinforcement
• Update the food safety culture strategy
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Annual food safety culture review reports
• Revised plans and updated training records
• Assigned corrective actions with completion timelines
- • Analyze performance vs. goals • Identify barriers and areas for reinforcement • Update the food safety culture strategy
- • Annual food safety culture review reports • Revised plans and updated training records • Assigned corrective actions with completion timelines
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| No documented food safety culture plan | Develop and implement a written, approved strategy |
| Minimal leadership involvement | Increase visible participation in culture and food safety events |
| Weak staff engagement | Use surveys, team-led activities, and communication campaigns |
| Lack of review or metrics | Track participation, audit data, and behavior-linked indicators |