Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Overview
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a private organization that oversees and recognizes various food safety standards. Certifications that fall under GFSI are recognized globally and are often considered benchmarks for best practices in food safety.
Certifications That Fall Under GFSI?
- SQF (Safe Quality Food) Program: The SQF Program is a rigorous and credible food safety and quality program that is recognized by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers worldwide. It includes different levels of certification, depending on the stage in the supply chain. Need help preparing for SQF? FoodReady has SQF Consultants to get the job done.
- BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (BRCGS): This standard is used by food manufacturers to help ensure their products are safe, legal, and of high quality. It covers areas like food safety management, site standards, product control, and process control.
- FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000): FSSC 22000 is a comprehensive certification scheme for food safety management systems based on existing ISO Standards. It’s recognized by GFSI and is used worldwide by food manufacturers.
- IFS Food (International Featured Standards): This standard is primarily used to audit food manufacturers regarding food safety and quality of processes and products. It emphasizes the importance of senior management responsibility, accurate product labeling, and risk analysis.
- GlobalG.A.P.: Primarily focused on good agricultural practices, GlobalG.A.P. is a pre-farm gate standard that covers the process of the growing operations from before the plant is in the ground. It includes food safety and sustainability measures.
- PrimusGFS: This is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked and fully recognized audit scheme covering Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
It’s important to note that these certifications are subject to periodic updates and revisions to align with emerging food safety issues and technological advancements. Companies seeking certification under these standards must undergo rigorous audits and assessments by accredited third-party certification bodies.
Are you getting ready for a GFSI-type audit? FoodReady has GFSI consultants to do the work for you.
FAQs
Yes, there are differences in scope and focus among GFSI-recognized certifications. For example, some certifications may focus more on manufacturing processes, while others emphasize agricultural practices or distribution. Each certification has its own set of criteria tailored to different segments of the food supply chain.
Third-party certification bodies conduct independent audits to assess a company’s compliance with the standards of GFSI-recognized certifications. They are accredited to perform audits and issue certifications based on the results, ensuring an objective and standardized evaluation process.
Yes, a company can hold multiple GFSI-recognized certifications. This may be done to meet the specific requirements of different customers or markets, to demonstrate compliance with various aspects of food safety management, or to enhance competitive advantage by showcasing a broad commitment to food safety and quality across different areas of operation.
