Mthokozisi Nkosi

Mthokozisi Nkosi is a seasoned Food Safety, FSMS, and Public Health specialist with 10+ years of audit experience. He has implemented international FSMS frameworks in over 50 companies, all achieving certification on schedule. As a Lead Auditor registered with Exemplar Global and IRCA, he brings deep technical and practical expertise. His multidisciplinary academic background spans Agriculture, Food Chemistry, Project Management, and Business Administration, enabling robust compliance and risk management. He is a registered FOODBEV SETA Assessor (F01/585/ASR00067), an HPCSA and SAATCA-registered trainer, and a Professional Member of SAAFoST. Over the past decade, he has delivered accredited courses across multiple SETAs. His qualifications include AVCASA Crop Protection and FERTASA Fertiliser training, as well as extensive consulting experience. As a Registered GLOBALG.A.P. Trainer, he is internationally recognised in agricultural food safety. He specialises in Hygiene audits, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, IFS, BRCGS, and GLOBALG.A.P., backed by an MBA, MPH, BCom(Hons) International Supply Chain, BSc (Agric) Hons Food Science, and PG Diplomas.

BRCGS audit grades explained: AA to D and what each costs

24 September 2026 by Mthokozisi Nkosi

BRCGS audit grades AA to D explained, with the 28 day close-out rule and audit frequency

BRCGS audit grades run AA to D, with a plus for unannounced audits. AA is 5 or fewer minors, D is 25 to 30, and one major against a fundamental stops certification outright. Here is the arithmetic, the 28 day rule, and what each grade costs a South African site.

BRCGS Issue 9 implementation: a 12 month plan for your site

24 September 2026 by Mthokozisi Nkosi

BRCGS Issue 9 implementation in twelve months, showing the twelve fundamental requirements and a month by month plan

BRCGS Issue 9 implementation takes 8 to 12 months from nothing, or 4 to 6 months from FSSC 22000, IFS or SQF. The twelve fundamental requirements set the earliest audit date because they are closed by months of records, not procedures. Here is the dated month-by-month plan.

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