IFS Food Standard
Improve your capability to consistently meet customer expectations for food quality and safety while reducing costs of supply chain management.
Certification of your food manufacturing system to IFS food standard demonstrates your commitment to food safety, quality, legality and on continual improvement.
What is the IFS Food standard?
IFS Food is an international standard for assessing product and process compliance in relation to food safety and quality. The IFS Food standard applies to suppliers at all steps of food processing subsequent to the agricultural stage. IFS food meets the criteria of the Global Food Safety Initiative - GFSI.
The assessment checklist is aligned with the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements, FSMA, and EU regulations. The requirements are related to the quality management system, the HACCP system (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points), and detailed prerequisite programs including GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) GHP (Good Hygiene Practice). It also includes requirement related to the development of a positive food safety culture.
The retailers as well as food manufacturers require IFS food certification from the suppliers that are included in their supply chain.
Benefits of becoming certified
Having a common standard and a uniform way to evaluate the quality level of suppliers reduces the need for second party audits. For retailers, manufacturers and suppliers, supply chain management becomes more consistent and efficient. It reduces the overall costs of the process, and increases the level of safety for customers, suppliers, and consumers
The standard enables your organization to:
- Provide evidence of commitment, and, in case of a food safety incident, legal defense in the frame of the due diligence concept
- Build and operate a management system capable of helping you to better meet food quality/safety requirements and legal compliance, with specific reference to the legislation applicable in the countries where the finished product is consumed
- Provide a tool for food safety performance improvement, and the means to monitor and measure food safety performance effectively
- Facilitate reductions in product waste, product reworking, and product recall
Getting started
To be certified, you first need to implement a food quality and safety management system complying with the standard’s requirements. DNV is an accredited third-party certification body and can help you throughout the journey starting from relevant training to self-assessments, gap analysis and certification services.
Learn more about how to get started on the road to certification.
