What Is the Scope of the IFS Food Standard?

What Is the Scope of the IFS Food Standard?

IFS Food is a food-safety and quality standard recognised by GFSI (the Global Food Safety Initiative) and used to audit food manufacturers. It focuses on food safety, the production process, and the consistency of finished products. The standard applies to companies that process food, and to those that pack unwrapped food where contamination risk exists during primary packaging. Because IFS Food reflects a range of customer requirements, including those of major retailers, it is especially relevant for private-label manufacturers. It is also a recognised reference for production and marketing teams working on brand protection and product integrity. IFS Food was developed with active participation from retailers, food manufacturers, food service companies and certification bodies.

IFS Food scope

The IFS Food standard is used to audit food manufacturers against requirements for food safety, process control and product quality. The requirement set is organised around:

• Senior management responsibility
• Food-safety and quality management system
• Resource management
• Planning and production process
• Measurement, analysis and improvement
• Food defence

Objectives of IFS Food

• Establish a single common standard with a consistent audit system
• Work with accredited certification bodies and qualified IFS-Food auditors
• Provide transparency and comparability across the entire supply chain
• Reduce cost and time for both retailers and manufacturers

Benefits of IFS Food

IFS Food certification is a meaningful advantage for companies that pursue excellence in food safety, quality and customer satisfaction, and for those competing in export markets.

Operational benefits

• Clearer alignment between staff and management on good practice, procedures and standards
• Closer monitoring of compliance with food-safety regulations
• More efficient use of resources
• Fewer duplicated customer audits
• Independent third-party auditing
• Flexibility to apply the standard using a risk-based approach

Commercial and marketing benefits

• A stronger business reputation as a high-quality, safe producer
• The ability to meet retailer demand for third-party audits
• Use of the IFS certificate and logo to demonstrate conformity with the highest standards