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GFSI AUDIT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Excerpt from Wal-Mart’s letter to food suppliers, December 2007
What is Global Food Safety lnitiative (GFSI)?
The Global Food Safety lnitiative (GFSI) coordinated by ClES -The Food Business Forum, was launched in May 2000. The GFSI Foundation Board, a retailer-driven group, with manufacturer advisory members, provides the strategic direction and oversees the daily management of the Global Food Safety Initiative. Membership of the board is by invitation only.
The GFSI mission is to work on continuous improvement in food safety management systems to ensure confidence in the delivery of food to consumers.
The GFSI objectives are to:
- Maintain a benchmarking process for food safety management schemes to work towards convergence between food safety standards, as outlined in this guidance document.
- Improve cost efficiency throughout the food supply chain through the common acceptance for GFSI recognized standards by retailers around the world.
- Provide a unique international stakeholder platform for networking, knowledge exchange and sharing of best food safety practice and information.
What are the Global Food Safety Initiative Standards (GFSI)?
- Safety Quality Food (SQF)
- British Retails Consortium (BRC)
- International Food Standards (IFS)
Safety Quality Food (SQF) SQF
Offers two different standards, or "codes"
- SQF 1000 for primary producers (fans) and
- SQF 2000 for manufacturers (processing plants).
The codes recognize that risk management can be applied to all products, but not all processes lend themselves to a complete HACCP system. Therefore, SQF 1000 is based on the principles of HACCP whereas the SQF 2000 Code is a complete HACCP system.
HACCP based food safety plans, and comprehensive food safety and quality management systems.
This allows every supplier, from the smallest farmer to the largest manufacturer, to be eligible for SQF certification.
British Retails Consortium (BRC)
In 1998 the British Retail Consortium (BRC) developed and introduced the BRC Technical Standard and. Protocol for companies supplying retailer branded food products. The standard was developed to assist retailers in their fulfillment of legal obligations and protection of the consumer, by providing a common basis for the audit of companies supplying retailer branded food products.
The Standard holds benefits not only to the retail industry but also food manufacturers, importers, caterers, ingredient suppliers and the food service industry. It is currently used by suppliers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Far East, North and South America and Australasia.
International Food Standards (IFS)
The aim is to create a consistent evaluation basis for all private label producers with uniform formulations, uniform audit procedures and mutual acceptance of audits, which will create a high level of transparency throughout the delivery chain. The service is available for trade, food producers and auditing organizations.
The key criteria included:
- Food safety management systems
- Good agricultural practices / manufacture practices trading practices
- HACCP systems
Why are third-party audits and certification so important to retailers and wholesalers?
No company can afford to ignore food safety. If they are unable to prove they are providing safe food they will find markets closed to them. Retailers wholesalers have an obligation to their customers and also need to protect their brand. They do not want to use suppliers who might compromise the trust their customers have in them or who might leave them vulnerable to the possibility of expensive product recalls and litigation. Retailers/wholesalers need a reliable way to select food suppliers who are fully committed to safety and quality. In a global marketplace, this can only be accomplished via third-party audits and certification.
Why are retailers/wholesalers specifically requesting certification audits?
Currently there is no universally recognized standard for food safety. As a result, many food producers have to undergo numerous audits based on different standards. This duplication costs the industry millions of dollars in both time and money. Because GFSl standards are accepted by a large number of retailers from around the world, using this certifications program will help eliminate much of this redundancy.
Hundreds of food standards were reviewed world-wide during the development of the GFSl standards. They are aligned with HACCP, Codex Alimentarius, IS0 9000 and the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.
Do GFSl standards meet government requirements?
Yes, audit certification requires that all regulatory standards for both the exporting and importing country, be fully met. These standards are not intended to replace the role of government requirements or standards, but we all realize the job of assuring food safety cannot be met with today's government resources only, and the food industry must accept responsibility for safe food. GFSl standards provide independent verification that product specifications and regulatory requirements have been met. They are voluntary global standards that crosse country boundaries.
How much do GFSl Standards cost?
The cost for implementing and maintaining one of the GFSl programs varies on the type of products that are being grown, produced or manufactured, the complexity of the process and the level of certification that is requested. Most food manufacturing companies are already. undergoing some type of food safety auditing either internally, or by third party inspection' which requires them to have existing policies and procedures.
Why do GFSI Standards include both safety and quality?
These standards are first and foremost food safety standards. However, retailers/wholesalers wanted a program that could combine quality aspects as well as safety into the audit. Assuring consistent quality and meeting buyer specifications are important aspects of the buyer-supplier relationship and for building, brand recognition.
Can these standards be used for all types of products and suppliers?
Yes, these standards can be used for virtually every type of product and process.
How these GFSl Standards are different from the other audit programs?
The GFSl standards are more rigorous in that they require a strict approval process for auditors. Auditors must be affiliated with an accredited certification body, meeting international standards set by recognized accreditation bodies such as The American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Auditors are only permitted to audit systems for which they have been registered, based on training and experience. This degree of accreditation and certification, along with an "audit of the auditor" requirement, are unique features not found in other programs.
Who are the GFSl Standards audit companies?
Audit companies are called certification bodies and any certification body is eligible to apply to offer a GFSI Standards audit and certification service. Eligibility requirements include meeting the ANSI accreditation standard and being licensed by SQFI, BRC or IFS. Audit companies manage the standards audit and certification process under license from SQFI, BRC or IFS. Once a supplier is audited, the certification body reviews the audit report and issues the certificate if all conditions have been met.
Are there other cost benefits or ways that SQF certification can reduce cost to my organization?
Reduction in multiple annual audits is the goal for most organizations and as the number of buyers accepting GFSl Standards certification grows, the drop in "audit-tourism1w' ill have a significant impact on reducing costs.
How long does the audit take?
Again, the cost and amount of time required to complete an audit depends on the complexity and size of the operation and the level of certification requested. For example a vegetable grower and packing audit requesting SQF 1000 Level 1 (Food Safety Fundamentals) may take less than one day, where a complex. ‘manufacturing facility requesting SQF 2000 Level 3 of BRC may take 2-3 days to complete.
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