This article details types of audit schemes and their descriptions.
BRC
The BRC Global Standards provide a framework to manage product safety, integrity, legality, quality, and the operational controls in the food, food ingredient, manufacturing, processing and packaging industries. The BRC audit is the BRC's assessment of a company's adherence to its standards of food safety. During the audit, an auditor from an accredited CB will thoroughly assess your food manufacturing facility, looking at records, documentation and process documentation across the nine core areas of operations listed above.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Canada Gap
CanadaGAP, a preventive program based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), uses science-based measures to help ensure food safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. ... Several large Canadian retailers and food processors require CanadaGAP certification for their growers. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is a voluntary certification program which verifies, through an independent third party audit, that sound food safety practices are being used on a farm or produce handling facility.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
CSA
The Celiac Support Association (CSA) is a third-party gluten-free certification program that has the most stringent requirements, only certifying foods containing less than 5ppm of gluten and not admitting any products containing oats - even gluten free oats. The CSA inspects facilities, tests products, and even checks packaging, to make sure it doesn’t include any gluten-containing components.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
Fair Trade
When products are Fairtrade Certified it means that they were produced in accordance with Fairtrade International's rigorous environmental, economic and social standards. This is independently verified through regular audits by an accredited third-party auditor. The Fair Trade USA certification model is designed to ensure that trade practices at every level of the supply chain are registered and audited to the Fair Trade USA Agriculture Production and Capture Fisheries Standards (APS and CFS).
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
Freshcare
Freshcare is an industry owned non-for-profit on-farm assurance program used to provide benefits to both suppliers and clients. Freshcare is currently the largest Australian assurance program for fresh produce. Freshcare is the custodian of the assurance standards for the Australian fresh produce and wine industry, providing the underpinning verification of their certification claims for market access.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
FSSC 22000
The FSSC 22000 food safety scheme is an independent, ISO-based safety standard that promotes transparency throughout your food supply chain. It is based on the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System standard.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
GFCO
GFCO (Gluten-Free Certification Organization) is a third-party certification program with high standards in quality control and assurance when it comes to gluten-free certification. GFCO requires products to contain less than 10 ppm of gluten in order to achieve certification. GFCO conducts an in-depth certification audit before granting certification. Re-certification must take place every year, and it includes a review of product ingredients, testing, and a plant inspection.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
GFCP
The Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP)is a third-party gluten-free certification program that has the least stringent requirements in the production of gluten-free foods. GFCP, uses the same limits as the FDA, testing products for gluten levels under 20 ppm. GFCP conducts an in-depth certification audit before granting certification, as well, and requires annual audits each year to remain certified.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
Global Aquaculture Alliance Seafood
GSA is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to advocacy, education and leadership for promoting responsible seafood practices. The Global Aquaculture Alliance advocates, educates and demonstrates responsible aquaculture practices to feed and employ future generations. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification standards, GAA has become the leading standards-setting organization for farmed seafood.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Global Gap
GLOBALG.A.P. is a private sector body that sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products around the globe. GLOBALG.A.P. offers more than 40 standards and programs for 3 scopes: Crops, Livestock, and Aquaculture.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Global Red Meat Standard (GRMS)
The GRMS is a standard specifically developed for the processes of slaughtering, cutting, deboning and sales of red meat and meat products. In contrast to other more generic food industry quality schemes, the GRMS has been tailored to the specific requirements that apply to the meat industry.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Halal
According to JAKIM, Halal Certification is an official form that refers to the Halal standardization of products and/or services in accordance with the Malaysian Halal Certification Scheme issued by the competent authority. The business wishing to obtain Halal Certification must apply to one of the Certification Bodies. It is important for the business to be aware of Halal Certification requirements at this stage and ensure that it is compliant with Halal requirements, Halal systems requirements and Halal staffing requirements.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
IFS International Featured Standards
The IFS is an association of retailers and industrial companies with a common aim. They inspect their producers, logistics companies, brokers and agents according to a set of harmonized standards to establish whether they are able to manufacture and handle safe products in accordance with customer specifications. The scheme is based on the following standards: IFS Food for the auditing of food product manufacturers; and IFS Logistics for the auditing of companies and service providers which handle food and/or non-food products in terms of logistics.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Japan Food Safety Management Association (JFSM)
JFSM was established to create Japanese food safety management certification standards by 18 companies, including food manufacturers, distribution and food service as well as two experts as founders. This scheme adheres to many international standards including ISO/IEC 17011:2017, ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, and ISO/TS 22003:2013 and the related standard consists of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and the Food Safety Management System (FSMS). Both JFSM and JGAP include robust training and audit programs to support their certification initiatives, and both represent a major step forward for food safety in Japan.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Japan GAP Foundation (AsiaGAP)
ASIAGAP is a management method for agricultural production processes, which a producer can voluntarily implement. It allows producers to establish an operation management system with which they can continuously improve their farm management through self-assessments. It is a scientific approach to improving food safety, and producers can implement it as a program of quality control. ASIAGAP also establishes a sustainable farm operation based on environmental conservation, including biodiversity conservation. It contributes to improving productivity through appropriate and effective farm management. Through its third-party audit and certification system, ASIAGAP allows certified producers to demonstrate to society that they are credible producers or producer groups that are executing good farm management.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Kosher
Kosher certification is a process by which a company ensures that their food is kosher, or in other words, fit for consumption by observant Jews. Kosher refers to a religious dietary practice that is rooted in Jewish tradition. There are several Kosher certification bodies and each have there own rules and standards companies looking to be certified must adhere to.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
Non-GMO
Non-GMO Project Verification Audit, Audit Report and Certificate of Compliance. A detailed audit of the product, its inputs and the production system is conducted. After the audit is completed, a summary report is produced. The product will earn a certificate of compliance if no areas of non-compliance are found.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
Organic
Every organic operation involved between the farm and market is inspected to verify compliance with the USDA organic regulations. The USDA organic label assures consumers that products have been produced through approved methods and that prohibited substances, like synthetic pesticides, have not been used. The purpose of an organic inspection is to confirm that your operation meets the NOP standards and regulations both before it is certified and every year after as long as it remains certified.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
Primus
PrimusGFS is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked and fully-recognized audit Certification Program covering both Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) scopes, as well as Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS).
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
RSPO
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is an internationally recognized standard for assuring sustainable production of palm oil and palm kernel oil across the supply chain. All organizations in the supply chain that use RSPO certified sustainable oil products are audited to prevent overselling and mixing palm oil with conventional (or non-sustainable) oil palm products.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
SQF
The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked food safety standard based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - Yes.
Vegan
This is an independently-conducted and documented evaluation of the quality system(s) within a factory, which is performed periodically in accordance with written procedures. Vegan audits aim to verify, through the examination and evaluation of objective evidence, the degree of compliance with the BeVeg vegan standard.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts inspections and assessments of regulated facilities to determine a firm's compliance with applicable laws and regulations, such as the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and related Acts. These inspections are generally unannounced.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
FSMA
Independent of FDA's oversight role, FSMA also puts an obligation on certain entities in the food industry to verify that their suppliers are meeting FDA food safety standards. The agency contemplates a role for reliable, third-party audits, whether they're conducted by a government agency or a private concern.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.
USDA
USDA is involved in managing changes related to many areas of food processing and food distribution. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures that our nation's meat, poultry and processed egg supply is wholesome, safe and properly labeled. USDA FSIS protects the public's health by ensuring the safety of meat, poultry and egg products. FSIS is part of a science-based national system to ensure food safety and food defense. Depending on the food category, FSIS agents may be onsite at all times during production or may pop in through the production day. Either way a FSIS agent must be on 'duty' when running USDA product.
GFSI Benchmark Scheme - No.