BRCGS Food Safety Audits
Food manufacturers and storage operators in the UK must maintain facilities that support safe food production, hygienic operation, and effective product protection.
Food manufacturers use the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety across the sector. Retailers and suppliers also recognise it in the UK and internationally. The standard assesses premises, operational systems, and procedures against defined food safety, quality, and operational requirements.
Ambrey Baker provides building and infrastructure audits aligned with BRCGS requirements for food production and storage facilities. Our team reviews the condition and suitability of building fabric, drainage, floors, wall systems, ceilings, structural elements, and hygiene-critical infrastructure. These audits help businesses assess whether the physical environment supports BRCGS expectations. They also identify areas that may need improvement before certification audits, surveillance audits or internal compliance reviews.
With almost 40 years of experience, we understand how buildings and processes interact within live production facilities.
Our audits identify defects and environmental risks that may affect hygiene control, product safety, or audit performance, while providing practical recommendations that can be implemented with minimal operational disruption.
Supporting Food Safety Compliance
Food manufacturers operate within a strict regulatory framework. Our audits support clients in reviewing whether the physical environment of their facility is consistent with key food hygiene requirements and recognised industry standards, including:
- Food Safety Act 1990
- Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013
- Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs
- BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, Issue 9
These assessments consider whether buildings and infrastructure support hygienic design principles. This includes cleanable surfaces, suitable materials, drainage performance, segregation, moisture control and reduced contamination risk. Many food safety non-conformances have a building or infrastructure element. Our audits help identify those issues early and provide clear, practical recommendations for remediation.
What Our Audits Cover
Ambrey Baker’s audits focus on structural and environmental factors that influence food safety within manufacturing and storage facilities.
Key areas assessed include:
Building Fabric and Structural Integrity
Inspection of floors, walls, ceilings, roofing systems, cladding panels, and structural steelwork to assess suitability for hygienic environments.
Hygienic Design of Materials and Surfaces
Review of wall systems, floor finishes, joints, sealants, and surface details to assess whether they are cleanable, durable, and suitable for food production areas.
Drainage and Moisture Management
Assessment of drainage arrangements, water management, and standing water risks that may contribute to contamination or microbial growth.
Production and Storage Infrastructure
Review of loading bays, dock levellers, cold storage areas, and internal segregation to assess suitability for temperature-controlled or hygiene-sensitive environments.
Maintenance and Asset Condition
Identification of deterioration, corrosion, damaged finishes, or poorly maintained areas that may compromise hygiene or product protection.
Each audit results in a clear report setting out findings, priorities, and recommended corrective actions. This allows clients to prioritise improvements before external audits or internal compliance reviews.
Audits Designed for Live Operational Facilities
Food production and storage environments often operate continuously and cannot accommodate unnecessary disruption. We plan our audits around operational schedules, hygiene procedures and access restrictions.
Ambrey Baker regularly carries out inspections within:
- food manufacturing facilities
- cold storage and distribution centres
- packaging and processing plants
- high-care and high-risk production environments
Our team understands the operational constraints within these facilities and works closely with site management to complete audits safely and efficiently. requirements where relevant to the facility.
Audits Designed for Live Operational Facilities
To avoid unnecessary disruption, we plan our audits around operational schedules, hygiene procedures and access restrictions.
Ambrey Baker regularly carries out inspections within:
- food manufacturing facilities
- cold storage and distribution centres
- packaging and processing plants
- high-care and high-risk production environments
Our team understands the operational constraints within these facilities and works closely with site management to complete audits safely and efficiently. requirements where relevant to the facility.
Ambrey Baker has extensive experience delivering construction, refurbishment, and technical assessments within the UK food manufacturing sector. As a result, we can identify building-related issues quickly and recommend practical remedial measures for live operational facilities.
Clients receive:
- clear technical reports aligned with the scope of the assessment
- prioritised recommendations for remedial action
- practical guidance for maintaining suitable building standards in hygiene-sensitive areas
- support for pre-audit preparation and ongoing facility review
Many issues raised during food safety audits have links to building defects, poor detailing, or ageing infrastructure. Our assessments help businesses address those weaknesses before they affect audit outcomes or operational performance.
Supporting Food Manufacturers Across the UK
Ambrey Baker works with food manufacturers, cold chain operators, and logistics providers across the UK. Our experience in hygiene-sensitive environments allows us to deliver clear, practical assessments that support both compliance objectives and day-to-day operational resilience.
If your facility is preparing for a BRCGS audit, responding to non-conformances, or reviewing the condition of food-safe infrastructure, our team can help identify building-related risks and recommend appropriate remedial action.
LIFECYCLE SUPPORT
Leading Specialists in Industrial Facilities
From early-stage consultancy & design, to Hard FM, repair, refurbishment, reconfiguration, capital works & decommissioning. We support essential facilities that need to remain safe, compliant & operational throughout their working life
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