Ensuring Food Safety
The global food supply chain demands unwavering commitment to food safety. Consumers deserve to have confidence that the food they eat is free from contamination and harmful hazards. C-Drive offers a comprehensive range of services to empower food businesses in implementing and maintaining robust food safety practices. Here, we'll explore crucial approaches to food safety management, including HACCP, ISO 22000, GFSI-recognized standards, and how C-Drive can support your food safety journey
ISO 22000:2018 - Food Safety Management Systems
ISO 22000:2018 is an international standard that provides a framework for developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive Food Safety Management System (FSMS). This system outlines a structured approach to managing food safety risks throughout the entire food supply chain
Structured Framework: The standard offers a clear roadmap for establishing an FSMS, encompassing elements like management commitment, hazard analysis, operational controls, monitoring, and continual improvement
Documentation Focus: Implementing ISO 22000 requires documenting procedures, policies, and records related to food safety, ensuring transparency and traceability.
Strong Foundation: An FSMS established based on ISO 22000 creates a solid foundation for food safety management, which can be further enhanced with additional standards or industry-specific requirements
A Multifaceted Approach
Rigorous Requirements: FSSC 22000 has stricter requirements compared to ISO 22000 alone. This ensures a more comprehensive approach to food safety management within the food and beverage sector
Food Defense Integration: The standard incorporates elements of food defense to mitigate intentional adulteration risks
Social Responsibility: FSSC 22000 includes considerations for social responsibility aspects in the supply chain, such as ethical sourcing and labor practices
FSSC 22000 - Food Safety System Certification 22000 Version 5.1
FSSC 22000 is a GFSI-recognized certification scheme specifically designed for the food and beverage manufacturing and packaging sector. It builds upon the foundation of ISO 22000 by adding specific requirements tailored to this industry
Sector-Specific Focus: FSSC 22000 addresses potential hazards and controls relevant to food and beverage manufacturing and packaging. This includes aspects like allergen management, foreign object prevention, and packaging material safety
HACCP - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
HACCP is a proactive, internationally recognized system (outlined in Codex Alimentarius) that identifies, evaluates, and controls potential hazards – biological, chemical, and physical – throughout the food production process. Its focus is on preventing contamination rather than relying solely on detection after the fact
Seven Core Principles: HACCP follows a structured framework with seven principles: conducting a hazard analysis, identifying critical control points (CCPs), establishing monitoring procedures for CCPs, implementing corrective actions, verifying procedures, and maintaining documentation
Preventative Approach: By pinpointing potential hazards at each production stage, HACCP allows businesses to take proactive steps to prevent contamination before it occurs
Adaptability: The HACCP approach can be tailored to different food operations and production processes, ensuring broad applicability
BRCGS - British Retail Consortium Global Standards
BRCGS offers a range of GFSI-recognized certifications applicable to various segments of the food supply chain:
BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9: This standard focuses on implementing and maintaining robust food safety management systems in food and beverage manufacturing and processing facilities
BRCGS Packaging Materials Issue 6: Ensures the safety and suitability of packaging materials intended for food contact. This addresses potential migration risks from packaging materials to food products
BRCGS Storage & Distribution Issue 6: Focuses on best practices for hygienically storing and distributing food products, minimizing contamination risks during warehousing and transportation.
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Recognized Standards
The GFSI is a collaborative industry effort to harmonize food safety standards across the globe. It doesn't set a single standard itself, but rather benchmarks and recognizes existing food safety certification schemes. Here's what GFSI brings to the table:
Benchmarking and Recognition: GFSI sets criteria that recognized food safety certification schemes must meet. These criteria cover crucial areas like management commitment, hazard analysis, and continual improvement
Market Access: Food safety certification schemes recognized by GFSI ensure a certain level of rigor and credibility. This certification demonstrates a company's commitment to food safety and can facilitate market access in a globalized food trade environment.
Varied Options: Several food safety certification schemes are recognized by GFSI, each with its own strengths and areas of focus. This allows businesses to choose the most appropriate scheme for their specific needs and industry sector. Here are some additional prominent GFSI-recognized standards
SQF (Safe Quality Food Program)
IFS (International Featured Standards)
Your Partner in Food Safety Excellence
At C-Drive, we understand the critical importance of navigating the food safety landscape. We offer a comprehensive suite of services to support your food safety journey, regardless of the standard you choose:
Gap Analysis: We can assess your current practices against chosen standards, identifying areas for improvement and tailoring a roadmap for achieving compliance
Implementation Support: Our team can guide you through the implementation process, providing training, documentation assistance, and technical expertise
Training: We offer a range of training programs to equip your staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to adhere to food safety standards.
Ongoing Maintenance: C-Drive can support you in maintaining your food safety system through internal audits, corrective action implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
By partnering with C-Drive, you gain access to a team of food safety experts dedicated to helping your business achieve and maintain the highest levels of food safety. We are committed to empowering your success in the global food market.
Contact C-Drive today to discuss your Food Safety needs and explore how we can help your business thrive!
