Do You have a Food Company? Find out about IFS certification

IFS Certification is a standard recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative for auditing food manufacturing companies, focusing on food safety and the quality of the entire process and products.

Present-day, the food product and processing industry is getting a higher demand than ever before. On one side, consumers are looking for maximum transparency. On the other hand, the food industry is responsible for proving to brokers, retailers, and business partners that it follows the required steps.

The Significance of IFS Certification

IFS Food is a crucial element for food companies to stay competitive and even survive in the market. Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative, it ensures that companies can survive and develop in national and international competition. Further, IFS offers numerous key benefits to food manufacturing to find and mitigate risks in their supply chain and safeguard their brands from any kind of damage.

The certification enables the companies:

• Show evidence of their communications in case of any incident related to food safety and legal defense.
• Meet the food demand with the required quality and safety needs with specific references to the legislation applicable in nations.
• Promote reduced product waste, product reworking, and product recall.

IFS certification is applicable throughout the global food supply chain, regardless of whether it is raw or processed products.

As a food company owner, you need to meet the high standards of the industry. But at the same time, these standards are great opportunities. With the IFS certification, you can prove the food safety and other aspects of your processes as per the globally recognized standard. Such certification works more like a ticket to your career resource. Without this measure, it will not be possible for you to set up new business relations in the food industry. The IFS certification further empowers the existing business connection and provides you with enough opportunities to achieve higher revenues through proven safety and quality.

The Major Aspects of IFS Certification

Under procurement and raw material control, only impacted raw materials are used.

Hygiene measures ensure strict adherence to hygiene standards.

The Cold Chain demonstrates that it should always be maintained.

Foreign body management to prevent foreign objects in food is important.

Step-wise Process to Obtain IFS Certification for Food Companies

The IFS certification process is offered by an accredited certification body. The organization takes care of everything from the initial preparation to the final certification. The step-wise process for the certification includes:

1. First Step: First of all, companies prepare for audit and familiarize themselves with the IFS Food needs. They also check the current status and enhancement of what is required. Besides, they also have the option for the pre-adult for internal evaluation.
2. Second Step: Next, the companies choose and commission a certification body with a qualified auditor. A contract about the certification scope, the reporting needs, and the audit duration was also concluded.
3. Third Step: The actual audit duration is calculated depending on the number of people in the company, product scope, and the number of processing steps.
4. Fourth Step: The certification body prepares an audit plan. The audit is only done when the company makes the food to be checked on the planned date.
5. Fifth Step: The audit is done. This process entails an opening meeting, an inspection of areas, and a closing meeting.
6. Sixth Step: Finally, the auditor prepares the audit report with an action plan. The company can use this plan as a suitable measure for existing deviations. Once the final review is done, a corresponding certificate is issued.

The Challenges in Food Safety

The challenges of food companies regarding food safety start with the preparation for IFS Food certification and the preliminary audit that takes place in advance. Here, an external auditor comes to check your company thoroughly to identify the possible weak points.

Companies need to make sure to introduce, review, and adapt internal processes in terms of the IFS needs. It impacts all business segments like procurement, production, storage, hygiene, and sales. The companies need to ensure all the employees are well prepared for the same, either verbally or through a digital solution.

This was the complete process of obtaining IFS certification. Just obtaining it is not enough; companies often conduct internal audits and undergo an annual surveillance audit to ensure high food safety is continuously met and quality management is taken care of. The exact cost of IFS certification for food companies depends on the size and complexity of the company, the selected certification body, and the extent of consulting services.

The Importance of IFS Certification in the Future

Nations are now realizing how vulnerable their local food systems have become in recent years. The top nations, like the US and European Union member nations, are exploring new supply chain averages. This is an ideal time for many corporations with an upswing in demand for food-grade FIBCs.