Food retailers along with food manufacturers are putting more emphasis on food safety in all steps of the food chain to protect our food from contaminants and prevent illness as witnessed recently in peanut butter, spinach, and pet foods among others.

One of the leading voices in international food Safety is the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The CIES Business Forum (www.cies.net), a group of over 200 major retailers in 50 countries, started the GFSI in 2001.

The GFSI Guidance is designed to eliminate multiple audits at food producing plants while ensuring safety food.

The GFSI Guidance Document, Version 5 was released September 2007. It contains commonly agreed criteria for food safety standards, against which any food or farm assurance standard can be benchmarked.
The guidance document can be downloaded at GFSI.

• GFSI is a guidance document presenting requirements for Food Safety Management Schemes.
• GFSI is not a standard.
• GFSI is not involved in certification or accreditation activities.
• The guidance can be applied to all food suppliers throughout the supply chain (from growers to consumer).

Five standards have been determined to meet the requirements at this time:

• British Retail Consortium (BRC)
• International Food Standard (IFS)
• "Dutch" HACCP
• Food Safety System Certification (FSSC 22000)
• Safe Quality Food Program (SQF)

The Guidance Document is divided into three sections
Part I: Requirements for food safety management schemes
Part II: Requirements for conforming food safety management standard
Part III: Requirements for he delivery of food certification systems

Food Safety Standard Links:

• GFSI: Guidance document available at no cost
• BRC: Standard may be viewed at no cost, available for purchase
• Dutch HACCP: Standard available at no cost
• IFS: Standard available for purchase
• FSSC 22000: Combines ISO 22000 & PAS 220, standards can be purchased as indicated below
• ISO 22000: Standard available for purchase
• PAS 220: Standard available for purchase
• SQF: Standard available for no cost
• International Food Safety & Quality Network: Good source of information

Quest Analytical, Inc announces two new courses to help you address the new international emphasis on

Food Safety Standards

Food Safety Management Systems Workshop
January 25-29, 2010
Orlando, Florida

Course Information

Contact Quest Analytical if you need:

• Training: GFSI requirements or a specific standard
• Implementation assistance with a Food Safety Management System

Quest Analytical has food safety experts to assist you.

"The right people with the right knowledge."