Food safety became a critical global concern in the late 20th century due to numerous high‑profile food contamination incidents and foodborne disease outbreaks worldwide. Notable examples include outbreaks of E. coli and Salmonella, as well as the BSE crisis (commonly known as “mad cow disease”) in Europe. These events significantly impacted public health and consumer confidence, placing strong pressure on governments and the global food industry to strengthen food safety controls and establish internationally accepted standards.
The Origin of GFSI and the Role of the Consumer Goods Forum
In response to these challenges, key players in the food industry collaborated to form The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)—a global network of manufacturers, retailers, and other stakeholders in the consumer goods sector. CGF plays a vital role in fostering global cooperation, and one of its most significant initiatives is the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
Founded in 2000, GFSI aims to build confidence in food safety, reduce duplication of audits, and promote continuous improvement in food safety management systems across the global supply chain.
What Is GFSI and How Does It Work?
GFSI does not issue certifications directly. Instead, it establishes benchmarking criteria and recognizes food safety certification programs that meet its requirements. These are known as GFSI‑recognized Certification Programs.
The core evaluation framework used by GFSI is the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements, which define the essential elements of an effective food safety management system. These requirements cover areas such as:
- Food safety management systems
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Traceability
- Supplier management
- Risk management
- Continuous improvement
Certification programs seeking GFSI recognition must demonstrate full compliance with these benchmarking requirements.
The Relationship Between GFSI and Certification Program Owners (CPOs)
A crucial element of the GFSI system is the role of Certification Program Owners (CPOs). CPOs are organizations responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing specific food safety standards. Examples include:
- Foundation FSSC for FSSC 22000
- Food Marketing Institute (FMI) for SQF
- LGC Group for BRCGS
- IFS Management GmbH for IFS
CPOs design and continuously improve their standards to align with the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements. Once successfully benchmarked and recognized, their standards become GFSI‑recognized, meaning organizations certified under those schemes are considered compliant with GFSI principles and widely accepted in global markets.
GFSI‑Recognized Standards and Their Key Differences
- FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000)
FSSC 22000 is based on ISO 22000 and enhanced with Additional Requirements to address emerging risks. These include outsourced process management, product labeling, food fraud prevention, food defense, allergen control, and environmental monitoring. The standard also incorporates Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) that support food safety, such as facility hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, pest control, and staff training.
FSSC 22000 is well suited for organizations seeking an ISO‑aligned system with a higher level of rigor and broader risk coverage.
- SQF (Safe Quality Food)
SQF emphasizes both food safety and food quality and is particularly popular in the United States market. It offers multiple certification levels, including:
- SQF Fundamentals for small and developing businesses
- SQF Food Safety Code
- SQF Quality Code
Built on HACCP principles, SQF covers the entire supply chain—from primary production to processing and distribution. As a GFSI‑recognized standard, SQF is ideal for companies targeting the U.S. market and those seeking a combined food safety and quality management approach.
- BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards)
Originally developed by the British Retail Consortium and now managed by LGC Group, BRCGS is widely recognized in Europe and globally. It focuses on risk management, food safety, and quality across the supply chain.
BRCGS offers multiple standards, including Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage and Distribution, and Consumer Products. The standard is known for its stringent audit process, strong supplier control requirements, and robust measures for food fraud prevention and food defense.
- IFS (International Featured Standards)
IFS is highly recognized in Europe, particularly in Germany and France. It focuses on verifying compliance of production processes with food safety, quality management, and traceability requirements.
IFS includes several schemes, such as IFS Food, IFS Logistics, and IFS Packaging. A key strength of IFS is its detailed scoring system and third‑party audit approach, which provide a transparent and measurable assessment of compliance levels.
Summary: GFSI vs. Certification Standards
GFSI serves as a global benchmarking framework, not a certification itself. In contrast, FSSC 22000, SQF, BRCGS, and IFS are certification programs that organizations must select and implement to demonstrate compliance.
The choice of standard typically depends on the target market:
- Europe: BRCGS and IFS
- United States: SQF
- Global / ISO‑focused organizations: FSSC 22000
Understanding the role of GFSI, its relationship with Certification Program Owners, and the requirements of GFSI‑recognized standards is essential for businesses aiming to build credibility, meet customer expectations, and access international markets effectively.
About SGS
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