What Is the Best Food Safety Certification?

When exploring food safety certifications, it’s common to wonder:

Do I need one for myself or my entire facility?

The answer depends on your role, business goals, and regulatory requirements.

Suppose you manage food safety operations, such as a kitchen supervisor, quality assurance lead, or foodservice manager. In that case, you’ll likely need an individual-level certification like the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) or Food Manager Certification. These are often state-mandated and prove that you understand critical food safety topics like cross-contamination, temperature control, and allergen risks. Participants in a food safety course gain essential knowledge for certification. To earn one, participants must complete the required course and pass an ANSI-accredited exam. To earn one, you complete training and pass an ANSI-accredited exam.

On the other hand, if you’re running a food manufacturing or processing facility, you’ll likely need a facility-level certification such as SQF, BRC, or HACCP. These comprehensive programs focus on your entire operation and require documented systems, internal audits, and third-party inspections. Major retailers often request them, and they are essential for expanding into larger markets or global trade.

Still unsure? Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• If you’re managing people who handle food, get an individual certification.
• If you’re managing systems that produce food, pursue a facility-level certification.

In many cases, you’ll need both a certified manager to oversee day-to-day safety and a facility certification to validate your business as a whole.

Let’s examine some of the most popular and widely used certifications and their components to better understand where they can be applied.

Food Safety Certification Components

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)is a systematic preventive approach that addresses food’s biological, chemical, and physical hazards to monitor and prevent food contamination instead of dealing with a problem in the end product. Although HACCP is not mandatory for all food products, it’s an indispensable requirement for any food safety certification and is required for foods that are regulated by the FDA and USDA.

HACCP certification is an international standard proving a food vendor or manufacturer complies with food safety standards, can identify foodborne illnesses, adheres to regulations, and uses monitoring procedures. The HACCP system analyzes food safety hazards in production, manufacturing, distribution, and consumption.

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Certification is a minimum standard that food, cosmetics, and medicine manufacturers must meet to produce a quality product. This approach helps minimize contamination or error risks during the manufacturing process. The scope of GMP certification may be limited to specific product categories or facility types, depending on regulatory requirements. GMPs cover quality management, documentation recordkeeping, sanitation and cleanliness, personnel, equipment, complaint management, etc.

FSMS (Food Safety Management System)is a program that aims to prevent food hazards so they don’t pose risks to consumers. Food business owners must have FSMS documented to minimize the risks of foodborne illness outbreaks. The system will help comply with international regulations and standards and reduce the number of recalls and customer complaints. Read in more detail about FSMS.

GFSI-Recognized Benchmark Schemes

The most well-known certifications in the food industry are GFSI-recognized standards.

Let’s see the list of them:

1. SQF (Safe Quality Food) is a GFSI benchmarked standard. This food safety and quality program is recognized worldwide by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers. SQF certification will allow businesses to establish a name in the food industry, ensure product quality and safety, and extend their market presence. Read our article on how to prepare for an SQF audit, in which we elaborate on the main steps you should take to succeed in your SQF journey.
2. BRC (BRCGS) certification is another GFSI-approved standard for food manufacturers, retailers, and service providers to prove the safety and quality of their products. They can do that by assessing their food safety management systems. Compared to SQF, which is more widespread in the U.S., the BRC standard is well represented in the UK, Europe, the USA, and Canada.
3. FSSC 22000. The Food Safety System Certification is a recognized and complete certification Scheme for Food Safety Management Systems aligned with the ISO Management System approach and the ISO Harmonized Structure. While BRC and SQF are more specific standards used in particular industry sectors, FSSC is more general and applies to any food product.
4. BRC-IOP is a Global Standard for Food Packaging and Food Packaging Materials. BRC introduced it with The Packaging Society (IOP) so that the food packaging sector could become certified and establish its place in the global market and supply chain.
5. Primus GFS. The certification program is widely used in the food industry, especially in the fresh produce sector. It applies to primary production, including horticulture, grains, and pulses, as well as manufacturing on a global scale.
6. Global Red Meat Standard aims to ensure transparency in animal welfare, quality, food safety, and hygiene in facilities that slaughter, cut, debone, process, and handle meat from pork, beef, lamb/sheep, goat, and horse. This transparency is achieved through an independent certification process based on ISO/IEC 17065.
7. IFS Certification. IFS reviews food products and production processes to ensure manufacturers produce quality, safe, and authentic food, adhering to legal requirements and customer specifications. IFS is widely utilized in Western Europe, especially in France and Germany.
8. GlobalG.A.P. is a global certification program that promotes safer and more sustainable farming practices. G.A.P. standards help incorporate procedures to lessen food safety risks at the farm level. Through G.A.P. certification, producers can showcase their responsible production practices.

Certification bodies often collaborate with industry partners, such as certified organizations and stakeholders, to ensure compliance and maintain the integrity of the food supply chain. They also share updates and information about their licensed partners to promote transparency and trust within the certification network.

If you’re wondering how The Global Food Safety Initiative impacts your business, you can explore our detailed guide about GFSI.

ISO Certification

ISO does not certify food manufacturers, but independent bodies can inspect a business and confirm that the facility adheres to one or several ISO standards. For the food and beverage industry, these can be ISO 22000 (specific for food safety management) or ISO 9001 (Quality Management System for all sectors).

Generally, all of them are different, but we would highlight the SQF, BRC, IFS, FSSC, ISO, and HACCP certifications as the top ones. But let’s see what you should do to choose among them.

It may seem confusing, but certifications differ based on a business’s target market, country, or other peculiarities.  Additionally, it is important to consider recommendations from industry advisory bodies or technical experts, as their guidance can help ensure compliance with best practices and current standards. Let’s examine what you should consider if you want to get your food business certified.

1. Regulatory Requirements

Check if the certification covers industry-specific requirements and meets local, national, and international food safety regulations.

2. Coverage

Choose the certification that best suits your business and covers the products you handle. Double-check that the certification covers all production stages.

3. Market Demand

Customers or buyers can require a specific certificate. For example, if you want to sell at Costco, GMP or SQF would fit well. So, you want to understand customer requests and prioritize a particular certificate. You should also verify if a certificate is recognized in your market or where you plan to sell.

Speaking about Costco, you can read about how to prepare for a Costco audit and get new insights!

4. Cost

Choose the certification you can afford. Calculate the money and resources needed to get and maintain certification through regular re-audits, training, etc. Some certificates can be costly in terms of preparation, fees, or other aspects. For organizations looking to reduce costs, it is possible to buy training programs in bulk, which can help efficiently train multiple employees and save money.

5. Implementation

Assess how easily you can integrate the certification requirements into your existing processes.

6. Certification Body

When choosing a certification, pay attention to the certification bodies that offer them and the bodies’ credibility and reputation. For instance, SQFI has a list of certification bodies from which you can choose a perfect one. Also, pay attention to their expertise and experience in your product category.

7. Consumer Confidence

Choosing a more recognizable certification that will evoke consumer trust and boost your credibility is a good strategy. Don’t forget about marketing prospects. Consider whether you can use a potential certificate to promote your products.

8. Global Recognition

Global recognition is an essential aspect to consider when choosing a certification. If you don’t plan to enter a new market soon, you can do this in the future, so think in advance. Global certificates will also simplify the trade. Keep in mind that GFSI standards are recognized globally.

9. Continuous Improvement

Opt for certifications that promote continuous improvement and updates. Also, look for a program that enables benchmarking against industry best practices.

Overall, there’s no perfect certification program for every business, but you can choose an ideal one based on your request, resources, and plans. Choose carefully and ask for assistance if you still can’t decide.

Ever wonder what it takes to get that food safety certification everyone’s talking about? Let’s face it: getting certified isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore, it’s a structured process that makes sure food handlers, food managers, and basically everyone working in your food facility knows their stuff when it comes to protecting public health.

Enrollment and Training

The whole thing kicks off when you enroll in a food safety training course, and here’s the good news: you can knock it out either online or in a classroom setting. These courses are designed with busy food service pros in mind, so whether you’re flying solo or getting your whole team trained up, there’s flexibility and accessibility built right in.

So what’s covered in the training? Well, you’re going to dive into the critical stuff like food safety principles, temperature control, and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). Yeah, that’s a mouthful, plus sanitation, pest control, safe food handling, storage, preparation, and service. The curriculum also walks you through how to spot and prevent contamination, which means every single employee gets equipped to keep the workplace safe and stay on top of those regulatory requirements.

Legal Requirements and Certification Validity

Here’s the thing: for tons of food facilities like restaurants, processors, and distributors, having a certified food manager on staff isn’t optional; it’s the law. Take California, for instance: you’ve got to pass an accredited food safety certification exam within 60 days of starting operations, changing ownership, or replacing a certified manager. The certification’s good for five years typically, and after that? Yep, you got a retake the exam to stay compliant and keep those food safety practices current.

Step-by-Step Certification Process

The certification process? Pretty straightforward, actually:

1. Enroll in a Course: Pick an online course or in-person class from a recognized provider. Online options are super convenient; you can start training whenever it works for you, go through lessons at your own speed, and circle back to material if you need to review.
2. Complete the Training:Work your way through the course modules, which throw in interactive lessons, quizzes, and real-world scenarios to make sure the learning sticks.
3. Pass the Exam: Schedule and take that certification exam; you can often find it at local testing centers or just do it online. The exam’s going to test whether you really get food safety concepts and can actually apply them when you’re on the job.
4. Receive Your Certificate: Once you pass, boom, you’ll get a certificate of completion that you can print right from your provider’s online page. Keep this certificate on file at your facility because it’s proof that you’re serious about food safety.
5. Maintain Certification:To keep everything above board, certified folks need to renew their certification every five years by retaking the exam and staying up-to-date with food safety training.

Achieving food safety certification is only the beginning—maintaining it is an ongoing commitment. For food manufacturers certified under FSSC 22000 or similar standards, regular audits and assessments are essential to ensure continued compliance with food safety requirements. These audits help verify that the food safety management system remains effective and that all processes are up to date with the latest industry standards.

Certification maintenance also involves a continuous cycle of monitoring, reviewing, and improving food safety processes. This proactive approach ensures that food manufacturers not only meet the requirements of their certification but also adapt to new challenges and advancements in food safety. By prioritizing certification maintenance, organizations demonstrate their ongoing commitment to food safety and quality, ensuring their products consistently meet the expectations of customers and regulatory bodies.

FoodReady offers software and consulting services for food manufacturers to ace planned and unexpected audits. We offer comprehensive food safety consulting to help businesses choose, prepare for, pass, and get certified in the certification scheme of their choice. Continuous improvement will also become a breeze with FoodReady.

Apart from qualified consultants, you can get access to a food safety platform that will automate and streamline your processes and prepare for a certification process. FoodReady software will help you digitize your document management system, create and implement a HACCP plan, and provide you with SOPs, PRPs, checklists, and other significant elements of a successful audit.

FoodReady has helped many food companies achieve certification and food safety goals. True Essence Foods contacted us to achieve SQF certification, which was a success!

Colorado Pet Treats chose us to prepare for and pass the GFSI (SQF) and FDA audits. Our cooperation was a perfect match that led to the issued certificates.

We are also proud to contribute to the success of other customers in getting BRC certified, passing their Cosco and FDA audits, and more. Even when passing the audit is not their goal, they improve their operations so much that they don’t stress about unplanned or complex audit processes.

FoodReady is an affordable solution to alleviate your struggle with food safety certification. We’ll help you choose the right one and pass it with flying colors.