Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certified Practice Exam

What cannot be changed once an audit has commenced?

1. The scope of the audit

2. The audit personnel

3. The audit frequency

4. The audit duration

The correct answer is: The scope of the audit

The scope of the audit refers to the parameters defining the audit's focus, including the specific processes, locations, and systems that will be examined. Once an audit has commenced, changing the scope can compromise the audit's integrity and the validity of its findings. It may lead to confusion regarding what is being audited and could result in inadequate or misleading conclusions. Maintaining a consistent scope ensures that the audit stays aligned with its objectives and that all relevant areas are thoroughly evaluated as initially planned. Altering the scope during an audit could disrupt the planned timeline and lead to inconsistencies or incomplete assessments, which can ultimately affect compliance and quality assurance outcomes. The other aspects mentioned—audit personnel, frequency, and duration—can typically be adjusted if necessary, without disrupting the integrity of the audit's process.