GFSI

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a nonprofit consortium of retailers, manufacturers, and food service companies that aims to advance food safety management across global supply chains. Established in 2000 under The Consumer Goods Forum, GFSI seeks to harmonize food safety standards and increase consumer confidence by providing a framework for evaluating and recognizing certification schemes rather than certifying products itself.

GFSI operates by publishing Benchmarking Requirements that define the criteria a food safety management scheme must meet to be considered globally acceptable. Schemes that pass these requirements are designated as GFSI-recognized, and participants in those schemes voluntarily pursue certification to demonstrate their compliance. The benchmarking process emphasizes HACCP-based controls, prerequisite programs, supplier management, traceability, product withdrawal and recall readiness, internal audits, and continual improvement, among other elements.

As of the present, the major GFSI-recognized schemes commonly cited include BRCGS Food Safety, IFS Food, SQF Code, FSSC 22000, and PrimusGFS. GFSI reviews and updates its benchmarking requirements periodically, and new schemes may be added or existing ones updated to reflect evolving food safety risks and practices.

Impact of GFSI centers on facilitating international trade and market access by providing a common reference point for auditor qualifications and certification across diverse food sectors. It also fosters collaboration among stakeholders in the food supply chain to address emerging safety challenges, improve transparency, and promote accountability in food safety management.