Global Food Safety Initiative

At a glance
This document provides an overview of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). GFSI is one of the several standard systems that are referenced in Standards Map, the interactive web-based tool on private standards developed by the T4SD program of ITC.

What is the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), an independent non-profit foundation managed by The Consumer Goods Forum, was founded in 2000. It is: An industry-led initiative that was created following a directive from food business CEOs after several food safety scares led to a loss of consumer confidence. A benchmarking organization promoting convergence between food safety standards through a benchmarking process for food safety management schemes. Common acceptance of these by manufacturers and retailers will lead to improved cost efficiency in the food supply chain. A unique stakeholder platform that brings together food safety experts to network, exchange knowledge and share information on best food safety practices.

GFSI: facts and figures

Eight GFSI-recognised manufacturing schemes; three GFSI-recognised primary production schemes and one GFSI-recognised primary and manufacturing scheme were benchmarked against the GFSI Guidance Document Fifth Edition and successfully benchmarked. Following the release of the GFSI Guidance Document Sixth Edition In January 2011, all of these schemes have been invited to resubmit their documents for benchmarking and any new schemes may come forward to GFSI for benchmarking. Eight major retailers came to a common acceptance of the GFSI benchmarked food safety schemes in June 2007, and many others have followed suit since. The Consumer Goods Forum (which manages GFSI) has over 650 members representing 70 countries and with combined sales of EUR 2.1 trillion.

What products are covered by the GFSI

GFSI is working on covering the entire supply chain by 2013. The current food supply chain sectors that are covered by GFSI include including feed production, farming of animals/ fish/ plants, processing of animal and plant perishable products, provision of transport and distribution services, provision of food safety services, processing equipment manufacture and production of food packaging. For the moment, the production, the provision of transport and distribution services, the provision of food safety services and the processing equipment manufacture are upcoming work areas rather than areas where the key elements have been integrated into the Guidance Document. http://www.mygfsi.com/gfsifiles/Guidance_Document_Sixth_ Edition_Version_6.1.pdf

Support
The GFSI Guidance Document is accessible for free online. The GFSI website also offers other information resources free of charge such as answers to frequently asked questions, the latest GFSI newsletters, manufacturer case studies of first-hand experiences implementing a GFSI-recognised standard, a GFSI position paper providing information on private manufacturing standards and a step-by-step guide to the GFSI Benchmarking Process.

What are the key features of the GFSI

GFSI holds an annual international forum (the GFSI Stakeholder Group) open to retailers, manufacturers, certification bodies, accreditation bodies, standards owners, food safety experts and consultants. GFSIs international multi-stakeholder Technical Working Groups comprise over 90 food safety experts who work throughout the year on areas such as Auditor Competence, Animal Handling, Packaging and Global Markets. A schemes standard, auditor competence requirements, certificate audit programme and management system are assessed against GFSIs requirements by the GFSI Benchmark Committee to verify compliance. The key elements for production of safe food or feed, or for service provision in relation to food safety in the GFSI Guidance Document can be directly related to the food safety principles laid down by Codex Alimentarius Standards and Guidance, as well as Codes of Practice, where appropriate.

GFSI Contact Details

Global Food Safety Initiative c/o the Consumer Goods Forum 22/24 rue du Gouverneur Gnral Ebou 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux France +33 1 82 00 95 95 +33 1 82 00 95 96 gfsinfo@theconsumergoodsforum.com www.mygfsi.com

Source: Standards Map, Market Analysis Tools, International Trade Centre and Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation, http://www.mygfsi.com. Last up-date: December 2011 For more information, visit Standards Map or send us an e-mail: standardsmap@intracen.org.

Through its wide membership, the GFSI has a global scope with activities and members operating worldwide.

How to become recognized

Step 1: Step 2: GFSI appoints an independent Benchmarking Committee to conduct a preliminary screening of the application. If the application is accepted, it is reviewed in further detail by the Benchmarking Committee and the scheme owner is invited to participate in the deliberations. Once the Benchmarking Committee is satisfied that the application meets the requirements of GFSI, a written consultation period ensues with the Benchmarking Committee. Once the consultation period is over, the responses are reviewed and one of the following recommendations are issued after consultation with the GFSI Board: a. Compliance is accepted.

Step 3:

Step 4:

b. Compliance is not accepted until modifications recommended by the Benchmarking Committee have been made by the Scheme Owner. Scheme Owner should provide the Benchmarking Committee with a written proposal on implementation of the modifications in the existing scheme within a mutually accepted time frame. If the scheme is already in use, the scheme owner should also provide a proposal on implementation of the modifications at suppliers already certified. c. Rejection of the application.

Step 5: The GFSI Foundation Board reviews the documentation and decides whether to accept or reject the application. Step 6: Step 7: If successful, a compliance statement is then issued to the Standard Owner and all stakeholders notified of the result. Any changes to the conforming scheme which could result in non-conformity with the Guidance Document are promptly communicated to GFSI. A conforming scheme owner updates his conforming scheme in line with the updates incorporated into the GFSI Guidance Document within one year of the publication thereof to maintain compliance status. A review of conforming schemes takes place every five years. Conforming standard owners submit an annual report regarding the delivery of their food safety management system and provide to GFSI any new documents having a material impact on the performance of the scheme.

Step 8:

Step 9: Step 10:

Source: Standards Map, Market Analysis Tools, International Trade Centre and Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation, http://www.mygfsi.com. For more information, visit Standards Map or send us an e-mail: standardsmap@intracen.org.

Last up-date: December 2011