If you need advice on the implementation of IFS FOOD and BRC standards, contact our experts at Modirfa.
02188764867 – 02188761795
What is the IFS FOOD standard?
The IFS FOOD standard (International Special Food Standard) is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard for food auditing. The purpose of this standard is to ensure the safety of food and the quality of processes and products. This standard is used in food processing and food packaging companies to detect risks.
This standard deals with food safety and product quality management in the following cases:
Food Production
Production of food packaging
Packaging of consumer products
Warehouse, distribution, transportation and logistics
Production of pet food
The purpose of this standard is to guarantee the entire supply chain in terms of increasing safety, quality and customer satisfaction.
Its latest version (version 7) was released in 2020.
IFS standard certification scope
The IFS Food Standard is used to audit food manufacturers on food safety and the quality of processes and products. The list of requirements includes:
Senior management responsibility
quality management system
Food safety management system
resource management
Planning and production process
Measure, analyze, improve
Why should the IFS standard be implemented?
The IFS standard is one of the special standards to increase food safety in the food supply chain, which focuses mainly on risk detection in the food production and packaging process.
The IFS standard is due to the creation of a common standard with a single evaluation system, cooperation with accredited certification bodies and qualified auditors approved for IFS foods, ensuring transparency in the entire supply chain and reducing costs and time for producers and retailers. The food industry is widely used.
Dried fruit producers can also get IFS standard certification to increase the credibility of their products.
Benefits of IFS certification
Considering the requirements of this standard and obtaining this certificate can increase the credibility of the food producer and the health of the products and provide high quality food to the customers.
These benefits are generally as follows:
Customer satisfaction
Competitive advantages in the market
Higher food security
Better understanding between management and employees regarding standards and implementation methods
Monitoring compliance with food regulations
More efficient use of resources
Independent third party audits
High flexibility through the implementation of a risk-based approach
BRC standard
BRC published the latest version of the BRC (British-Retail-Consortium) global standard for food safety in August 2022. (Version 9)
The RC Global Standard or BRCGS is an international standard for food safety management systems and is one of the GFSI certification schemes and contains requirements for food processors to meet in order to establish an effective food safety management system. There are also versions of the standard for manufacturers of food packaging, storage and distribution, etc.
Standard requirements address the key elements that must be in place for your organization to ensure safe product production. BRCGS certification is recognized by GFSI, which is a consideration when choosing a certification scheme, as many major manufacturers and retailers require official GFSI certification. Other well-known certification schemes include FSSC22000 and the SQF standard.
It should be noted that the ISO22000 standard is not recognized by GFSI.
Some key changes in the new version of this standard are:Integration of GFSI mining optimization requirements
Specific requirements to implement and comply with relevant laws
Detailed requirements for the development of food safety culture
Revision of the food safety plan section to align with the validation aspect of CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
Detailed requirements for outsourced processes
Expansion of food defense requirements and food fraud
New section for sites that complete the processing of protein raw materials
such as red meat, chicken and fish (slaughterhouses and fisheries)
If you need advice on the implementation of IFS FOOD and BRC standards, contact our experts at Modirfa.
02188764867 – 02188761795
Beware of unlicensed and fraudulent organizations.
Be sure that if an organization gives you an ISO certificate without implementing it in your organization and conducting an audit, it must be a fraud.