|
|
Food Safety Certification Standards
Eurofins GeneScan, in conjunction with our colleagues at Eurofins Certification, offers to clients an accredited, efficient and cost effect process to implement these international standards. We offer certification according to the food and feed industries' most relevant food safety regimens. IFS certification In 2002 German retailers developed a common standard called International Food Standard (IFS) for food safety management systems. In 2003, French food retailers (and wholesalers) from the FCD joined the IFS Working Group and contributed to develop the current 4th version of the standard. It has been designed as a uniform tool to ensure food safety and to monitor the quality level of producers of retailer branded food products. The standard can apply for all steps of the processing of foods subsequent to their agricultural production. Eurofins Certification is accredited by the French institution COFRAC against EN 45011 standard (ISO/IEC guide 65) for IFS. The certification committee, which involves food industry and retailers representatives, strengthens the independence and recognition of the certificates issued. Eurofins Certification provides certification services against the International Food Standard (IFS). IFS certification audits are performed by qualified assessors against IFS version 4 and these determine whether certification is granted. In addition to certification, Eurofins Certification provides training to IFS version 4 standard (link to the webpage dedicated to the IFS training sessions) and preliminary audits. BRC: British Retail Consortium standard In 1998 the British Retail Consortium, responding to industry needs, developed and introduced the BRC Food Technical Standard to be used to evaluate manufacturers of retailers own brand food products. In a short space of time, this Standard became invaluable to other organizations across the sector. It was and still is regarded as the benchmark for best practice in the food industry. This and its use outside the UK has seen it evolve into a Global Standard used not just to assess retailer suppliers, but as a framework upon which many companies have based their supplier assessment programs and manufacture of some branded products. The majority of UK and Scandinavian retailers will only consider business with suppliers who have gained certification to the appropriate BRC Global Standard. Following the success and widespread acceptance of the Global Standard - Food, the BRC published the first issue of the Packaging Standard in 2002 (now in its 2nd Edition), followed by Consumer Products Standard in August 2003. Each of these Standards is regularly reviewed and revised after extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. Eurofins Certification has qualified auditors against BRC standard version 4. Eurofins Certification provides training to BRC version 4 standard and preliminary audits. ISO 22000 In response to the publication of the ISO 22000 food safety standard in September 2005, Eurofins Certification now offers consulting, training, and certification for this global standard. All consulting and auditing modules are aimed at giving companies up and down the supply chain practical guidance on this harmonized approach between ISO and HACCP and providing an internationally recognized certification of system compliance. GMP+ and Other Standards Good Manufacturing Practice Programs according to the GMP+ certification scheme is required for feed producers exporting. Eurofins Certification offers guidance and compliance according to this standard affecting the industry segment. For more information on how Eurofins can assist your company in achieving maximum transparency of operations and compliance with the above standards and other food safety standards, please call us at (504) 297-4330 or by email. |
2315 N. Causeway Blvd, Suite 200 Metairie, LA 70001, USA |
Tollfree: 1-866-535-2730 | T: 504-297-4330 | F: 504-297-4335 |
The supply chains for agro-food companies are being stretched around the world. At the same time, pressure is mounting to meet increasingly restrictive regulatory standards and more sophisticated consumer expectations. To meet these demands, companies are utilizing internationally recognized standards such as BRC and ISO22000.