Audits

In addition to internal audits, we also audit the suppliers of Private Brand and perishable products, the results of which are available in “Sourcing responsibly”.

Poland

Biedronka stores and distribution centres were audited by both internal and external auditors to check facilities, equipment and procedures.

More internal and follow-up audits of the stores were carried out as a result of Biedronka’s expansion (an additional 174 stores compared to 2022), the increase in the number of meat counters (41.6% more compared to 2022)¹, and the increase in the number of micro-fulfilment centres for the Biek operation². The fact that there are 14 more stores selling organic bread (2.9% more than in 2022)³ also led to an increase in external controls imposed by responsible authorities.

At distribution centres, the number of internal audits increased slightly as a result of the inclusion of two new distribution centres and the risk assessment. The decrease in external audits is due to the fact that some audits scheduled for early 2023 were carried out at the end of 2022.

We carried out 32.6% more analyses than in 2022, which is explained by the increase in the number of Biedronka stores with meat counters. In the case of raw materials/products finished in-store, the decrease is due to greater process management efficiency and the unavailability of the product at the time the controls were carried out.

Portugal

Audits carried out to Pingo Doce, Recheio and distribution centres:

At Pingo Doce, and despite the opening of ten additional stores in 2023 (to 482), the number of audits decreased because priority was given to the evaluation of stores with poorer performance in 2022, aimed at verifying the correction of identified non-conformities. This focus shift, which also occurred in 2022 with similar results, enabled the Company to improve its HACCP performance by 5 p.p..

The number of Recheio stores in 2023 remained unchanged at 43. Nevertheless, the increase in the number of audits is due to the usual periodicity associated with the risk matrix used by the operational food safety teams. The Company maintained its HACCP performance in line with the previous year.

At the distribution centres, where audits also cover the central kitchens and internal canteens, the increase in internal and follow-up audits is the result of a greater sampling by a more dedicated team. This led to a decrease in the associated performance, as more opportunities for improvement were identified. The decrease in external audits carried out by official bodies is due to the regularity of audits established by these organisations.

A total of 114,006 food safety and quality analyses were carried out at Pingo Doce stores, Recheio, distribution centres and other facilities (such as the fresh dough factory, kitchens and canteens), on par with that conducted in 2022. As regards work surfaces and manipulators, the increase is mainly related to the opening of new Pingo Doce stores. The decrease in the number of raw material/finished product controls is in line with the consolidation of processes and good practices, operational changes (e.g., product with less handling at stores) and the associated risk management history that, as it is positive, made it unnecessary to maintain the frequency of the analytical controls.

Colombia

Audits to Ara stores were carried out by Diversey, an independent entity. Our internal quality teams carried out the audits on the distribution centres.

The decrease in internal audits at stores is due to methodological changes, in particular: (a) increased weighting of critical criteria such as cleanliness, pest control and product quality, and (b) the number of audits to be conducted. In 2022 two technical audits were carried out per store and one annual audit, while in 2023 only one audit was carried out due to the work done over the years to prepare operational teams and reduce the associated risks. As explained above, the decrease in store performance is due to the increased weighting associated with critical criteria.

Follow-up audits are conducted by internal and external audit teams, depending on previous results and based on internal risk metrics and incident frequency – priority corrective measures are, therefore, subsequently evaluated. The increase was to respond to the findings of audits, health inspections and to identified non-conformities in analytical controls, as well as customer complaints.

At the distribution centres, the decrease in the number of audits is explained by the results of previous assessments, which helped lower the risk level and made it unnecessary to keep the follow-up extent on identified corrections. The performance level of the previous year was maintained.

In 2023, the number of analyses carried out increased 28% compared to 2022, as a result of the expansion of Ara stores (the network grew 18% in the year, from 1,093 to 1,290 stores) and due to a methodological change: a sample was taken for each type of criterion being assessed, whereas in 2022 sampling was limited to the risk matrix associated with each criterion.

¹ There were 1,079 counters in 2023, whereas in 2022 there were 762. In Poland, internal audits, including follow-up audits, of stores are outsourced to independent entities such as Diversey, Det Norske Veritas (DNV-GL), and Lloyd’s Register. At the distribution centres, internal audits are carried out by food safety and quality technicians, while external audits, within the scope of ISO22000 certification, are carried out by DNV-GL.

² This operation, which was implemented in 2021, consists of micro-fulfilment centres (MFC) operated by employees to handle orders placed by consumers through the Glovo fast distribution partner application. By the end of 2023 we covered 18 locations (15 in 2022) in the cities of Warsaw, Łódź, Krakow, Gdańsk, Poznań and Wrocław. More information is available at https://www.biek.pl/

³ In 2023, 489 stores offered an organic bread range (475 in 2022). External controls relating to organic certification were carried out by BIOCERT, an independent entity duly authorised by official bodies for such purpose.