This article outlines the key elements of GFSI: what it means to have GFSI recognition; the benchmarking process; GFSI-recognized Programs, 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. Certification to one of the GFSI recognized programs indicates that the organization has implemented robust processes to effectively identify, control, and monitor food safety risks. It furthermore strengthens consumer trust and enables access to international markets by aligning with the requirements of retailers, manufacturers, and regulators. Their work in benchmarking and harmonization fosters mutual acceptance of GFSI-recognized certification programs across the industry and enables a simplified “once certified, accepted everywhere” approach.
What is the GFSI Benchmarking Process
GFSI recognition offers a passport to the global market, both for the recognized Certification Program Owners (CPOs) and the companies that they certify. In order to be recognized by GFSI, CPOs must verify that they meet the Benchmarking Requirements.
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 Certification Programs?
The most common GFSI-recognized Certification Programs in the manufacturing scope are:
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards)
- SQF (Safe Quality Food)
- IFS (International Featured Standards)
More information on currently GFSI Recognized Programs can be found here: GFSI-Recognised Certification Programme Owners – MyGFSI
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 robust, yet flexible enough to cover multiple sectors of the supply chain.
Find out more about the FSSC 22000 Certification Scheme now.
Benefits for an organization of certification to a GFSI- recognized Program
- Enhanced food safety: By establishing a more robust Food Safety System to help prevent foodborne illnesses and food recalls.
- Brand Reputation: As GFSI is recognized worldwide, earning certification to one of the recognized programs demonstrates your dedication to food safety. This can improve brand reputation and credibility with customers, consumers and industry peers.
- Market access: Certification can open up new markets and contribute to the expansion of a company’s customer base.
- Risk mitigation: It allows organizations to identify potential risks and hazards effectively. It minimizes recalls, contamination, and the risk of foodborne illness.
- Operational Efficiency: Certification to a GFSI recognized program encourages 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 organizations to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
How to get Certified?
To achieve certification, companies must successfully undergo a third-party audit to one of the GFSI-recognized Certification Program.
Companies can consult the GFSI Recognized CPO module, choose their relevant industry scope, and visit the website of the Certification Program Owner for details on obtaining certification.
What are the Steps to Certification?
There are 6 Steps to Achieving Certification
- Choosing the right Certification Program
- Conduct a Gap Analysis
- Develop your food safety plan
- Schedule the Certification Audit
- Non-Conformity Resolution
- Maintaining certification
Choose the Right GFSI Recognized Certification Program
Choosing the right Certification Program is the first step toward meeting global food safety standards. Selecting the right Certification Program 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 Recognized Certification Program, the next step is to perform a GAP analysis. This analysis identifies areas where your current practices are effective, areas that require improvement to align with the requirements of the Certification Program and it serves as a roadmap towards obtaining certification.
Implement a Food Safety System
After the gap analysis is complete, build a robust Food Safety System that incorporates HACCP principles, food safety standard operating procedures (SOPs), recordkeeping, and monitoring systems. This ensures that food safety hazards are identified, effectively controlled, and managed.
Schedule the Certification Audit
Certification Bodies send qualified auditors to conduct audits to determine whether your organization meets the requirements of the GFSI recognized certification program.
If any nonconformities are found, they must be addressed and corrected before certification can be obtained. Upon successful review of the audit by the certification body, a certificate will be issued.
Maintaining certification
Even after successfully achieving the certification, you will need to maintain your Food Safety System to ensure continued compliance and that your system is operating optimally. The certification body will conduct regular audits to assess whether your Food safety system remains compliant with the certification program’s requirements.
FSSC 22000
FSSC 22000 first achieved GFSI Recognition in 2013 and have successfully maintained the recognition to date, including FSSC 22000 Version 6. The current recognition includes the following 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
Read this article to find out how to get your business FSSC 22000 certified.
Have a question? Click here to view the frequently asked questions for FSSC 22000 V7.
Conclusion
GFSI aims to improve food safety and business efficiency by setting Benchmarking Requirements. It works by evaluating and recognizing food safety Certification Programs 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 drives improved 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.
