This article outlines the key elements of GFSI: what it means to have GFSI recognition; the benchmarking process; GFSI-recognized Schemes and Standards, and its benefits.
What is The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)?
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a Coalition of Action from The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). It brings together food retailers and manufacturers from across the CGF membership and an extended food safety community to oversee third-party food safety standards for food business operators worldwide.
GFSI partners with leading consumer goods companies worldwide to promote safe food for everyone.
What does GFSI recognition mean?
Rather than creating its own standard, GFSI recognizes and approves existing food safety certification programs that meet its strict requirements. GFSI compliance indicates that you have implemented robust processes to effectively identify, control, and monitor food safety risks, and that your Food Safety Management System aligns with one of the benchmarked certification programs.
A GFSI-recognized certification strengthens consumer trust and enables access to international markets by aligning with the requirements of retailers, manufacturers, and regulators.
What is the GFSI Benchmarking Process
The GFSI Benchmarking Process is designed to be executed in an independent, unbiased, technically proficient, and transparent manner. A program is considered ‘recognized’ by GFSI once it has been verified to meet all GFSI Benchmarking Requirements, both in procedures and operations.
A GFSI benchmark leader evaluates whether the application complies with these requirements, after which there is a public consultation phase open to all GFSI Stakeholders. The recognition of a program depends on an affirmative vote by the GFSI Steering Committee members.
What are the GFSI-recognized Schemes and Standards?
The most common GFSI-recognized schemes are:
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards)
- SQF (Safe Quality Food)
- IFS (International Featured Standards)
FSSC 22000
FSSC 22000 is a complete Certification Scheme for Food Safety Management Systems, governed by a non-profit Foundation with an independent Board of Stakeholders. It is a Certification Scheme that is flexible enough to cover multiple sectors of the supply chain.
Find out more about the FSSC 22000 Certification Scheme now.
What are the Benefits of a GFSI- recognized Certification?
- Enhanced food safety: You can establish a more robust Food Safety Management System to help prevent foodborne illnesses and food recalls.
- Brand Reputation: As GFSI is recognized worldwide, earning certification demonstrates your dedication to food safety and quality. This can improve your reputation and credibility with consumers and industry peers.
- Market access: GFSI-recognized certification opens new markets and expands a company’s customer base.
- Risk mitigation: It allows you to identify potential risks and hazards effectively. It minimizes recalls, contamination, and the risk of foodborne illness.
- Operational Efficiency: GFSI standards encourage collaboration across the value chain, resulting in improved traceability and more efficient processes and systems.
- Competitive advantage: Certification serves as a distinctive selling point, enabling you to differentiate yourself from competitors.
How to get GFSI Certified?
To achieve GFSI-recognized certification, companies must successfully undergo a third-party audit conducted under a GFSI-recognized Certification Program Owner.
Companies can consult the GFSI Recognized CPO module, choose their relevant industry scope, and visit the Certification Programs website for details on obtaining certification.
What are the Steps to Certification?
There are 6 Steps to Achieving GFSI Certification
- Choosing the right Certification Scheme
- Conduct a Gap Analysis
- Develop your food safety plan
- Schedule the Certification Audit
- Non-Conformity Resolution
- Ongoing recertification audit
Choose the Right GFSI Certification Scheme
Choosing the right Certification Scheme is the first step toward meeting the GFSI food safety standards. Selecting the right Scheme is vital because each one is designed for different types of businesses and markets.
Conduct a GAP analysis
Once you’ve selected the appropriate GFSI Certification Scheme, the next step is to perform a GAP analysis. This analysis identifies areas where your current practices are effective, and areas that require improvement to align with the standards of your chosen GFSI Scheme.
It serves as a roadmap, showing precisely what you need to do to meet GFSI standards.
Implement a Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
After the gap analysis is complete, build a robust FSMS that incorporates HACCP principles, food safety standard operating procedures (SOPs), record-keeping, and monitoring systems. This ensures that food safety hazards are identified, controlled, and documented.
Schedule the Certification Audit
Certification Bodies send qualified auditors to conduct audits to determine whether your organization meets the standards of the GFSI-certified program.
If any nonconformities are found, they must be corrected before obtaining the certification.
Ongoing recertification audit
Even after successfully achieving the certification, you will need to monitor your Food Safety Management System to remain compliant with the GFSI’s food safety standards through regular recertification audits.
FSSC 22000
FSSC 22000 Version 6 aligns with the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements. It encompasses the following GFSI scopes:
- BIII – Pre-process Handling of plant products
- CO – Animal Primary Conversion
- CI – Processing of Perishable Animal Products
- CII – Processing of Perishable Plant Products
- CIII – Processing of Perishable Animal and Plant Products (Mixed Products)
- CIV – Processing of Ambient Stable Animal and Plant Products (Mixed Products)
- D – Production of Feed
- G – Provision of Storage and Distribution Services
- I – Production of Food Packaging
- K – Production of (Bio) Chemicals and Bio-cultures Used as Food Ingredients or Processing Aids in Food Production.
Read this article to find out how to get your business FSSC 22000 certified.
Conclusion
GFSI aims to improve food safety and business efficiency by setting Benchmarking Requirements. It works by evaluating and recognizing food safety Certification Schemes that meet rigorous and internationally harmonized criteria.
Their work in benchmarking and harmonization fosters mutual acceptance of GFSI-recognized certification programs across the industry and enables a simplified “once certified, recognized everywhere” approach. This reduces inefficiencies caused by audit duplication and helps reduce trade barriers.
By raising and continually updating its benchmark, GFSI pushes recognized schemes and certified businesses to improve their food safety performance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards)?
BRCGS is a Scheme is widely used in Europe and is a good fit for food manufacturers, packaging companies, and retailers. It covers areas such as food safety, quality, and business operations.
What is SFQ ?
Safe Quality Food (SFQ) is a comprehensive program of food safety and quality standards for the entire value chain, from manufacturing and processing to storage, transportation, and distribution.
It is recognized by retailers, brand owners, and foodservice providers worldwide.
What are the IFS (International Featured Standards)?
IFS Management GmbH (IFS) is a joint venture between the French retail association FCD and the German retail association HDE. It creates globally recognized standards and programs for product safety and quality for companies in the food and consumer goods supply chain.
It includes requirements for evaluating whether suppliers of private-label and branded products can provide safe, high-quality products that meet customer specifications.
