During the COVID restrictions on travel, official audits by the Department of Agriculture, FDA and third-party auditors commissioned by retailers were suspended.  Various permutations of remote audits were implemented ranging from questionnaires to detailed video reviews.

Recently the Food Standards Agency of the U.K. evaluated remote audit techniques introduced during 2020.  It was concluded that remote audits were appropriate for plants and businesses that did not involve any risk to public health.  The conclusion was based on twenty interviews with local authorities and a limited number of businesses that agreed to provide responses. 

It is considered significant that many of the local authorities reverted to in-place audits as soon as possible after restrictions were lifted.  Visits were arranged by priority with respect to potential food hazards.  Local authorities reported that some businesses audited remotely made claims that were not substantiated by in-person follow-up visits.  Problems relating to cleanliness were not detected using remote audits.  In the absence of in-person interaction, auditors were unable to evaluate worker training and to use sensory awareness to detect pests and undesirable practices.  It was a general observation that remote audits required more time than in-person reviews by experienced inspectors.