What is the main purpose of a food safety audit?

The main purpose of a food safety audit is to assess compliance with food safety regulations and practices. These audits are critical for ensuring that food handling, preparation, and storage meet established standards designed to protect public health. By evaluating existing processes and identifying potential areas of risk, a food safety audit helps ensure that food businesses adhere to legal requirements and industry best practices, ultimately reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

This process not only helps in maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety but also assists in identifying training needs for staff, although training itself is not the primary objective of the audit. Other options, while relevant to aspects of food service management, do not align with the core aim of the food safety audit, which primarily focuses on compliance and safety rather than cost reduction, customer satisfaction, or staff training.