International Featured Standard (IFS) Food Certification
Introduction to IFS Food Certification:
International Featured Standard (IFS) Certification Standard is a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) recognized standard for auditing food manufacturers. The focus is on food safety and the quality of processes and products. It concerns food processing companies and companies that pack loose food products.
IFS Food applies when products are “processed” or when there is a hazard for product contamination during primary packing. The Standard is important for all food manufacturers, especially for those producing private labels, as it contains many requirements related to the compliance with customer specifications.
The Standard supports the production and marketing departments in their efforts for brand safety and quality. IFS Food has been developed with full and active involvement of certification bodies, retailers, food industry and food service companies.
IFS Food certification is now widely recognized and accepted for food businesses and retailers alike. It aims to ensure a common standard throughout the entire supply chain striving for excellence in food safety, quality and customer satisfaction.
Certification Scope:
The IFS Food Standard is used to audit food manufacturers regarding food safety and quality of processes and products. The list of requirements is organized in the following topics:
- Senior management responsibility
- Quality and food safety management system
- Resource management
- Planning and production process
- Measurements, analysis, improvements
- Food Defense
Certification Objectives:
- To establish a common Standard with a uniform evaluation system
- To work with accredited certification bodies and qualified auditors approved for IFS Food,
- To ensure comparability and transparency throughout the entire supply chain,
- To reduce costs and time for both manufacturers and retailers.
Benefits to IFS Food certification:
IFS Food certification can offer a number of key benefits to companies striving for excellence in quality, food safety and customer satisfaction, and seeking a competitive advantage in their market place.
Other benefits:
- Improved understanding between management and staff relating to good practices, standards and procedures,
- Monitoring of compliance with food regulations,
- More effective use of resources,
- Reduction in the need for customer audits,
- Independent third party audits,
- Higher flexibility through individual implementation due to a risk based approach.
Marketing benefits:
- Improved business reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality and safe products
- Ability to trade with customers requiring third party audits
- Use of the IFS logo and certificate to demonstrate compliance with the highest standards.
IFS Food standard IFS Certification is applicable to all food manufacturing, handling and processing organisations in food chain.
How to get IFS Food Certification?
Ideal Activity timeline for achieving IFS Certification can be as follows:
- Gap Analysis, Food Safety Policy, Food Safety Objectives for IFS Certification
- Determining role, responsibility and authorities, Identify and assemble core group, Appointment of Team Leader for IFS Certification
- Management System Documentation: Level 1 to Level 4, Pre-Requisite Program, Operational PRPs, Hazard Evaluation, Critical Control Point, HACCP Plan, Food Safety Plan, Validation Plan, Verification Plan as per IFS Certification
- Risk Assessment is key to IFS Certification preparation. Each activity controls are based on risk assessment such as – Pest control, Lighting, Security, Access Control, Cleaning, Internal Audit frequency – for all activities there is a requirement for Risk Assessment.
- Awareness Training to Core Group and identified staff as per IFS Certification
- Internal Auditors Training to Core Group and Conduct of Internal Audit as per IFS Certification
- Management Review Meeting as per Agenda defined in IFS Certification Requirement
- Application to Certification Body
- Final Certification Audit
Unlike BRC Certification where you achieve A B C D Grades based on no. Of Non-Conformances reported, IFS certification is achieved based on % score. Minimum 75% score is to be achieved for IFS Certification.
IFS Certification has Knock-Out Requirements, similar to Fundamental Clause in BRC. But with Single Knock-out NC, IFS certification is rejected. Whereas you can still achieve BRC Certification with lower grade with One Fundamental Non conformance.
Besides IFS is GFSI Approved standard, it is widely popular among European Union Countries and considered to be Most Stringent Standard among Food Safety Management Certification.
To know more about IFS Food V 6.1 Certification Process, Cost, Resources like Consultants, Certification body, please Chat with us ASK THE EXPERT.
