News Update13 Aug 2020GFSI
One Standard for the Food Industry? | Ask GFSI GFSI has recently received some questions around the opportunity to converge towards a unique standard for food safety. In today’s post, we respond to these questions and explain the GFSI position on this topic. For those who know GFSI well, you know that we provide a framework for harmonising food safety Certification Programmes, while leaving […]
News Update01 Mar 2021Certification
GFSI Response to US FDA Announcement on the Launch of Voluntary Pilot Programme to Evaluate Alignment of Third-Party Food Safety Standards with FSMA Rules The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) welcomes the announcement by the FDA of the establishment of a voluntary pilot programme to evaluate third-party food safety certification programmes and recognises the value that reliable third-party certification brings to regulators in the delivery of their regulatory oversight activities. However, GFSI is clear that the role of third-party […]
Publication17 May 2021Auditors
GFSI Position on the complementary role of 3rd party and 2nd party audits
Publication19 Jul 2023Auditors
GFSI Position on the Complementary Role of 3rd Party and 2nd Party audits — Japanese
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 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 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 […]
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
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 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 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 Update24 Jan 2020Certification
“We Aim to Foster an Unwavering Food Safety Culture”: How House Foods America Leverages GFSI to Ensure Continuous Improvement House Foods America is a tofu manufacturer that has achieved GFSI-recognised certification with SQF. Recently, members of GFSI’s Japan Local Group conducted an interview with House Foods America representative Rina Yamada to discuss the company’s journey to GFSI-recognised certification and how they “aim to foster an unwavering food safety culture by allowing each […]
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 […]
Publication04 Dec 2024Certification
Benchmarking Requirement v2024: Response to Stakeholder Consultation Stakeholder feedback and insights on the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) v2024, driving continuous improvement in food safety systems management and ensuring that the BMRs remain relevant, robust, and aligned with industry needs.
News Update23 Mar 2022Certification
GFSI Extends Measures for Food Businesses Facing Ongoing Certification Disruption In light of recent data from the WHO on the evolution of the pandemic, travel restriction reports, and their own business insights, the GFSI Steering Committee has made the decision to maintain the GFSI COVID-19 position. This includes the measures established to help businesses and the certification industry mitigate the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
News Update04 Dec 2024GFSI
We Asked, You Answered: Consultation Response for the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements 2024 The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has today published its response to the feedback received from the recent stakeholder consultation run on the proposed new GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024 (BMRs v2024). GFSI is delighted by the exceptional insight and feedback received from a truly diverse range of stakeholders: 2,672 responses from across the GFSI […]
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
Standard: CanadaGAP Program Management Manual version 10.0 2024 and CanadaGAP Food Safety Manuals v10.0 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