GFSI Certification

Due to complex challenges in today’s food supply chain, many of the world’s largest food retailers are mandating supplier certification to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) schemes, which include SQF, BRC, IFS, FSSC, GLOBALG.A.P.,BAP, PrimusGFS and CanadaGAP as well as packaging standards.

NSF companies are the leading global certifier to GFSI benchmarked standards, with exceptional technical expertise, consistently calibrated auditors and capacity for a timely path to certification.

GFSI was established to ensure confidence in the delivery of safer food to consumers, while continuing to improve food safety throughout the supply chain. These global standards address food, packaging, packaging materials, storage and distribution for primary producers, manufacturers and distributors.

For more information, contact nsfcanada@nsf.org or call 519-821-1246.

BRC

We certify to the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, the BRC/IOP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials and the BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution.

These standards were developed by the British Retail Consortium and help promote consistency across the supply chain for food and ingredient manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. Each BRC audit also reduces the number of customer audits and consolidates customer requirements.

BRC is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked food safety standard covering food safety and management of product quality in food packing and processing operations.

FSSC 22000

Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 is a complete GFSI recognized food safety certification system for food manufacturers, based on the ISO 22000, ISO/TS 22002-1 and ISO/TS 22002-4 standards. NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), a division of NSF, is accredited to provide this certification under ISO/IEC 17021.

FSSC 22000 applies to companies in the food supply chain that process or manufacture animal products, perishable vegetable products, products with a long shelf life and other food ingredients like additives, vitamins and bio-cultures.

GFSI certification increases brand protection and minimizes risk. FSSC 22000 certification demonstrates that a product or process complies with specific international standards. It allows a food supplier to give assurances that food has been produced, prepared and handled according to the most recognized standards. It also shows a commitment to quality processes and continual improvement, and enables access to top retailers.

IFS

We certify to the International Featured Standard (IFS), a GFSI benchmarked standard for auditing food manufacturers on food safety and the quality of processes and products. It is most relevant for companies that manufacture, process or handle food or food ingredients.

IFS includes requirements for senior management responsibility, quality and food safety management systems, resource management, production process, measurements, analysis, improvements and food defense.

We also certify to IFS Logistics for the storage and distribution industry and IFS PACsecure for the food packaging industry.

IFS Logistics is a standard for auditing all logistics activities for food and nonfood products, such as transport, storage, distribution, loading and unloading. It applies to all types of transportation methods (including road, rail and ship) and food products (including packed, loose, frozen, refrigerated and nonperishable).

CanadaGAP: We offer GFSI and non-GFSI benchmarked certification options for individuals and producer groups. This standard covers only growing, packing, wholesale, repacking distribution and brokerage of fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information, visit the CanadaGAP website.

GLOBALG.A.P. IFA, HPSS and PSS: We offer several GLOBALG.A.P. produce certifications for individual producers and producer groups. IFA is GFSI benchmarked. These standards cover growing and product handling. For more information, visit the GLOBALG.A.P. website.

PrimusGFS: Modular audit approach, GFSI recognized certification scheme. Covers raw agricultural commodities, growing, harvest, packing, storage, and processing. For more information, visit the PrimusGFS website.

Packaging

Many retailers and food processors require food-contact packaging manufacturers to obtain certification to schemes benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

We certify to all four GFSI benchmarked packaging standards.

BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials: Developed with the Institute of Packaging (IOP), this scheme applies to food packaging and packaging materials. The standard recognizes five different materials categories, and two levels of high hygiene risk, based on whether materials comes into direct contact with food. Find more information on the BRC website.

FSSC 22000 for Packaging: This scheme is based on the food safety management standard ISO 22000:2005 with an additional industry-specific prerequisite program that meets GFSI benchmarking requirements. The program has a three-year certification structure that mirrors a traditional management systems certification, with detailed surveillance audits conducted annually. Visit the FSSC 22000 website for more information.

IFS PACsecure: Developed in conjunction with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, this standard applies to all forms of primary and secondary packaging materials, and is accepted by the U.S.-based Food Safety Alliance for Packaging (FSAP). More information is available on the IFS website.

SQF for Packaging: Packaging falls under SQF’s food sector category (FSC) 27, which applies to the manufacture, storage and transport of food sector packaging materials. Module 13 is specifically designed for use with packaging facilities. More information is available on the SQF website.

All four packaging schemes share similar requirements including:

  • Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
  • Management commitment
  • Internal audits
  • Facility conditions
  • Employee hygiene and training
  • Control of incoming products
  • Traceability and recall
  • Pest control
  • Recordkeeping and documentation

SQF

We certify to the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program, a comprehensive HACCP-based food safety and quality management certification system for all sectors of the food industry, from primary production to transport and distribution.

SQF Code, Edition 8 is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked food safety standard that supports industry or company-branded products and offers benefits to suppliers and their customers. Products produced and manufactured under the SQF Code certification retain a high degree of acceptance in global markets.

SQF Packaging: To help ensure food safety at all levels of the supply chain, many food producers are now requiring their packaging suppliers to implement a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) program and to be certified to GFSI benchmarked standards such as SQF Packaging.

SQF Packaging covers requirements for packaging design, manufacture, documentation, implementation and recordkeeping for a general food packaging manufacturing operation. The standard requires that a packaging product meets food packaging safety legislation, including U.S. FDA packaging materials specifications.

If you manufacture materials or packaging for the food industry, talk with us about food safety certification. Stay ahead of your competition and expand your market potential with certification to GFSI benchmarked standards by NSF.