Unveiling the Ethics on Your Plate: A Guide to Social Audits in the Food Supply Chain in Middle East

Consumers today are increasingly concerned about the journey their food takes before reaching their plate.

Imagine this: you walk into a grocery store, ready to grab your favorite organic kale. But a nagging question pop into your head – were the workers who harvested those leaves treated fairly? Social audits play a crucial role in answering this very question, ensuring ethical practices throughout the complex food supply chain.

The Power of Transparency: A Story of Trust

In the complex ecosystem of the global food supply chain, transparency, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility have become key concerns for consumers, businesses, and regulatory bodies alike.

At the heart of addressing these concerns are social audits – a powerful tool for assessing and improving the social, ethical, and environmental aspects of manufacturing and distribution processes.

Drawing on our extensive experience in conducting social audits across the food supply chain in key Middle East countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, this article explores the core principles of social audits. It highlights the major social audits used in the food industry, underscores their importance, and provides tailored guidance for selecting the most effective social audit strategy in the Middle East.

What is a Social Audit?

A social audit is a process that organizations use to assess and report on their social performance. This involves a thorough evaluation of how a company's operations impact its employees, the community, and the environment. The objective is to ensure compliance with global standards for labor rights, safety, environmental protection, and ethical business practices.

How Social Audits work?

Social audits are performed by independent third-party assessors who gather data through site visits, employee interviews, and document reviews. The findings from these audits help companies identify areas for improvement, enhance transparency, and build trust with consumers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Benefits of Social Audits for the Food Supply Chain

• Enhanced Transparency: Social audits increase transparency about sourcing, production, and distribution practices for stakeholders.
• Improved Compliance: They ensure adherence to local and international laws, reducing legal risks and penalties.
• Risk Mitigation: Early identification and management of social and environmental risks protect against reputational damage.
• Market Access: Demonstrating ethical standards opens doors to new markets and opportunities.
• Employee Satisfaction: Good working conditions verified by social audits lead to higher employee morale and retention.

Top Social Audits in the Food Industry in the Middle East Region

1. Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)

SMETA is one of the most widely used ethical audit formats in the world. It encompasses all aspects of responsible business practice, including labor rights, health and safety, the environment, and business ethics. Specifically tailored for suppliers, SMETA audits are designed to be shared with multiple customers, reducing the need for multiple audits and fostering a collaborative approach to ethical trading.

The Sedex Self-Assessment Questionnaire contains 4 major pillars:

• Labour Standards
• Health & Safety
• Environment
• Business Ethics

All four pillars count on legal requirements, international standards and good practice.

Read our article about Navigating Sedex and SMETA Audits in UAE, KSA, and other GCC Countries.

2. Business Social Compliance Initiative (AMFORI BSCI)

The AMFORI BSCI provides companies with a social auditing methodology and framework that allows them to monitor and assess their suppliers based on social standards set by the initiative. The focus is on continuous improvement through a development-oriented system that includes elements like workers’ rights, freedom of association, and fair remuneration.

The AMFORI BSCI approach is popular among European retailers and importers looking to streamline compliance across their supply chains.

3. SA8000

The SA8000 Standard provides a framework for organizations of all types, in any industry, and in any country to conduct business in a way that is fair and decent for workers and to demonstrate their adherence to the highest social standards. The SA8000 Standard is based on internationally recognized standards of decent work, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO conventions, and national laws. SA8000 applies a management-systems approach to social performance and emphasizes continual improvement.

Elements of SA8000 Standard

• Child Labor
• Forced or Compulsory Labor
• Health and Safety
• Freedom of Association & Right to Collective Bargaining
• Discrimination
• Disciplinary Practices
• Working Hours
• Remuneration
• Management System

Finding the Perfect Social Audit for Middle East Food Suppliers

For food supply chains in the Middle East looking to implement social audits, selecting the appropriate methodology is crucial. The choice should be influenced by several factors, including the specific requirements of target markets, the nature of the supply chain, and the organization’s social responsibility goals.

• Identify Your Priorities: Determine whether your focus is on labor practices, environmental impact, ethical business practices, or a combination of these areas.
• Consider Your Market: Understand the social audit standards that are most recognized and valued in your target markets.
• Engage with Stakeholders: Consult with suppliers, customers, and industry experts to identify the most relevant and respected social audit standards in your sector.
• Plan for Continuity: Opt for a social audit standard that promotes continuous improvement and is widely accepted by international stakeholders.

SGS: Your Partner in Building a Sustainable Food Chain in the Middle East

SGS offers extensive expertise in social audits within the Middle East. With a vast local presence in pivotal nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Turkey and Jordan.

This expansive footprint enables SGS to offer unparalleled support to food supply chain businesses within these regions, ensuring that their operations not only meet international standards but are also in harmony with the local regulatory landscape and cultural intricacies.

Contact us for more information.

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.