Blog04 Feb 2020GFSI
4 GFSI Myths, Busted: The Truth About Auditors, CPOs and Regulations There is always more to learn about GFSI! In the months since stepping into the role of Director last October, I’ve been focused on truly understanding the all facets of the critical and unique role GFSI plays in the global food safety ecosystem. As part of this process, I’ve encountered a few misconceptions […]
News Update08 Apr 2020GFSI
Update on Temporary Audit Measures During Covid-19 Pandemic Editor’s note: The Global Food Safety Initiative is monitoring the evolving Covid-19 situation on a daily basis and is committed to publishing timely updates and announcements in this space. Please check back here regularly and ensure you are subscribed to receive GFSI News. Food operations everywhere are feeling the effects caused by COVID-19. Around […]
News Update10 Dec 2024Certification
Important Update on Certificate Recognition Status Background GFSI has received feedback from stakeholders expressing uncertainty about the recognition status of certificates issued following an audit undertaken against programmes during the period that such programmes were “undergoing recognition“. Certificates issued against audits undertaken during this period are not yet GFSI-recognised. This lack of clarity has created challenges for many certified sites in […]
News Update20 Dec 2024Certification
Global Collaboration, Enhanced Food Safety: The Benchmarking Requirements 2024 Unveiled The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is excited to announce the much anticipated release of its revised Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) version 2024. This significant milestone represents a commitment to enhancing food safety programmes worldwide and safeguarding consumer health. Aligned with Codex Alimentarius and ISO 22003, these science-based requirements enable a common understanding and mutual trust in […]
News Update25 Jan 2021Global Markets
Understanding GFSI’s ‘Race to the Top’ | Webinar Thank you to all those who participated in GFSI’s first webinar of 2021! If you were not able to make the live session, we invite you to read the summary below or watch the recording. We invite you to join GFSI leadership on 25th March, the third day of the virtual GFSI Conference, […]
News Update31 Jan 2020Certification
GLOBALG.A.P Certification at Closed Plant Factories in Japan GFSI Japan Local Group Communication WG (GFSI): We spoke with Takao Akita, Executive Officer of Vitec Vegetable Factory Co., Ltd., one of the largest plant factory operators in Japan, which obtained GLOBALG.A.P. for all 5 factories in Japan. Vitec Vegetable Factory Co., Ltd. (VVF): Our parent company is Restar Holdings Corporation (HQ: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) which […]
News Update10 Dec 2024Certification
FAQs: Certificates Issued Against Programmes Undergoing Recognition GFSI has received feedback from stakeholders expressing uncertainty about the recognition status of certificates issued against programmes during the period that such programmes were undergoing recognition. Certificates issued during this period are not yet GFSI recognised, and this lack of clarity has created challenges for sites in meeting supply chain assurance requirements. To address these […]
News Update23 Jan 2025Certification
Call for Participation: Join GFSI’s Benchmarking and Harmonisation Working Group The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recently released its revised Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) version 2024, a testament to our commitment to improving food safety programmes globally and protecting consumer health. The new BMRs v2024 were made possible by the members of the Benchmarking Harmonisation Working Group (BHWG), who worked diligently to deliver the group’s mandate. […]
Press Release23 Jul 2020Consultation
Consultation Reveals Broad Support for GFSI’s ‘Race to the Top’ Framework Respondents commended GFSI for its unique role in facilitating effective dialogue between multiple actors in the food safety ecosystem. Consultation showed broad recognition that the four features are the right ones, with the most potential for positive impact, and that GFSI is in a position to drive a change agenda to enhance trust and confidence […]
Blog26 Oct 2021Consultation
Introducing a New Pathway for Food Safety Auditors Today, there is an increasing risk of a shortage of auditors, due to a combination of increase in auditing demand, and more auditors retiring than newcomers joining the profession. Many in the industry have been sounding the alarm for some time now about the growing challenges surrounding this profession – a profession which is at […]
News Update03 Sep 2020GFSI
GFSI and COVID-19 – A Harmonised Approach to Exceptional Circumstances GFSI is happy to share our position for a harmonised risk assessment as part of our ongoing support for food businesses facing continued impediments to certification due to the COVID19 pandemic. Several months into the COVID19 pandemic, travel restrictions continue to impede audits and certification to a GFSI-recognised programmes. The effects of the […]
Press Release23 Mar 2022Auditors
GFSI Launches Pilot for Food Safety Auditor Benchmarking Requirements to Boost Take-up of Critical Role PARIS, 23rd March 2022 – The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) today announces the launch of the first live pilot of its Benchmarking Requirements for Food Safety Auditors’ Professional Recognition Bodies, following a successful consultation period. Although Food Safety Auditors are a vital part of ensuring safe food is available for people around the world, […]
News Update10 May 2022Governance
GFSI SteerCo Meeting Summary: Stronger Relationships, Stronger Food Safety Systems Trust is undisputedly a fundamental ingredient in the recipe for food safety progress, so it comes as no surprise that it held such a prominent place at the recent GFSI Conference. The topic of trust was the guest of honour, referenced throughout the conference week in nearly every plenary speech, every breakout session and every […]
News Update09 Jun 2020Certification
How GFSI’s Partnership with IAF Benefits Stakeholders On the heels of World Food Safety Day underlining that Food Safety is Everyone’s Business, today’s World Accreditation Day marks the role of Accreditation in Improving Food Safety. GFSI is delighted that the cross-industry International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has chosen to focus on food safety for the 2020 edition. This world day is an exceptional vehicle to raise awareness […]
News Update05 Oct 2023
GFSI Call for Evidence: Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Audits PARIS, 5 October 2023 The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated new methods and tools to conduct remote assessments such as audits in agricultural and food supply chains using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). GFSI wishes to explore the benefits and implications associated with the use of ICT tools and methods in audit activities and assessments, pursuing evidence […]
Publication20 Dec 2024Certification
GFSI Benchmarking Process Handbook Version 2024 This Process Handbook provides detailed guidance and clarity on the Benchmarking Process outlining key steps, best practices, and examples where necessary to support with the implementation process for Certification Programmes Owners.
Standard: BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety issue 9 with audit programmes: Announced, Blended Announced, Unannounced – voluntary, Unannounced – mandatory 1 in 3 years
Scopes: BIII – Pre-process Handling of Plant Products C0 – Animal 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
D – Production of Feed
K – Production of (Bio) Chemicals (Additives, Vitamins, Minerals, Bio-Cultures, Flavourings, Enzymes and Processing Aids)
Standard: Global Standard for Packaging Materials issue 6 only with audit programme announced, unannounced, blended announced Scope:
I – Production of Food Packaging
Standard: Global Standard for Agents & Brokers issue 3 Scope:
FII – Food Broker / Agent
Standard: Global Standard for Storage and Distribution issue 4 only with audit programme announced, unannounced (option 1 and 2), blended announced Scope:
G – Provision of Storage and Distribution Services
CanadaGAP Food Safety Manuals v10.0 – audit options B Group Certification, C Annual Audit and D Repacking and Wholesaling Operations Scopes: BI – Farming of plants (other than grains and pulses)
BIII Pre-Process Handling of Plant Products
Standard: Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standard – Edition 4.2 Scopes: BI – Farming of Plants (other than grains and pulses) BIII Pre Processing Handling of Plant Products
Standard: Freshcare Supply Chain Edition 2 Scopes: BIII Pre-process Handling of plant products
FI Retail / Wholesale
FII Food Broker / Agent
G Provision of Storage and Distribution Services
Standard: FSSC 22000 version 6 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
Standard: Harmonized Produce Safety Standard (HPSS) Version 1.2 Scopes:
BI – Farming of Plants (other than grains and pulses)
BIII – Pre-process Handling of Plant Products
Standard: Integrated Farm Assurance GFS – Principles and Criteria for Aquaculture – Finfish, Crustaceans, Molluscs, Seaweed – version 6.0 Scope:
AII – Farming of fish and seafood
Standard: Integrated Farm Assurance GFS Plants – Principles and Criteria for Fruit and Vegetables – version 6.0 Scopes:
BI – Farming of Plants (other than grains and pulses)
BIII – Pre-process Handling of Plant Products
Standard: Produce Handling Assurance (PHA) Standard Version 1.2 Scopes:
BI – Farming of Plants (other than grains and pulses)
BIII – Pre-process Handling of Plant Products
Standard: IFS Food v 8 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) K- Production of (Bio) Chemicals and Bio-Cultures Used as Food Ingredients or Processing Aids in Food Production
Standard: JFS-C Standard Version 3.0 Scopes:
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)
Standards: ASIAGAP (Asia Good Agricultural Practice)/
• Control Points and Compliance Criteria for Fruits and Vegetables 2.3;
• Control Points and Compliance Criteria for Tea Ver.2.3
Scope: BI – Farming of Plants (other than grains and pulses)
Standards: ASIAGAP (Asia Good Agricultural Practice)/
• Control Points and Compliance Criteria for Grains Ver.2.3;
Scope: BII – Farming of Grains and Pulses
Standards: ASIAGAP (Asia Good Agricultural Practice)/
• Control Points and Compliance Criteria for Fruits and Vegetables 2.3;
• Control Points and Compliance Criteria for Grains Ver.2.3;
• Control Points and Compliance Criteria for Tea Ver.2.3
Scope: BIII – Pre-process handling of plant products
Standard: PrimusGFS version 3.2 Scopes: BI – Farming of Plants
BII – Farming of Grains and Pulses
BIII – Pre-Process Handling of Plant Product
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)
G – Provision of Storage and Distribution Services
Standard: SQF food safety codes edition 9 (level 2) Scopes: AI – Farming of Animals for Meat/ Milk / Eggs / Honey
BI – Farming of Plants (Other Than Grains and Pulses)
BIII – Pre-process Handling of Plant Products
CO – Animal Primary Conversion
CI – Processing of Perishable Animal Products
CII – Processing of perishable plant productsI Production of Food Packaging
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
K – Production of (Bio) Chemicals and Bio-Cultures Used as Food Ingredients or Processing Aids in Food Production
GLOBALG.A.P.
Standard: Integrated Farm Assurance Aquaculture Standard version 5.3-GFS Scope:
AII – Farming of Fish
Standard: PrimusGFS Standard Version 3 Scopes:
EIII – Processing of Animal and Plant Perishable Products (Mixed Products)
EIV – Processing of Ambient Stable Products