The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) operates as a collaborative industry effort focused on enhancing food safety management systems across international supply chains. Established in 2000 by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), a global industry network, GFSI facilitates cooperation among retailers, manufacturers, food service companies, and other stakeholders. Its core mission is to achieve continuous improvement in food safety, ultimately delivering “safe food for consumers everywhere” (GFSI).
GFSI functions primarily as a benchmarking organization. It does not perform certifications or audits itself. Instead, it establishes rigorous technical requirements and benchmarks existing third-party food safety certification programmes against these global standards. When a programme successfully meets GFSI’s benchmarking requirements, it achieves GFSI recognition (GFSI). This recognition signifies that the certification programme aligns with internationally agreed-upon best practices.
Major food safety certification schemes holding GFSI recognition include FSSC 22000 (based on ISO 22000), the BRC Global Standards (covering food, packaging, storage & distribution), the Safe Quality Food (SQF) programme, and GlobalG.A.P. (focused on good agricultural practices) (GFSI). The widespread adoption of GFSI-benchmarked standards creates a foundation for mutual recognition. This principle, often termed “once certified, accepted everywhere,” aims to reduce redundant audits for suppliers serving multiple retailers or markets that accept GFSI-recognized certification (GFSI). This streamlines the supply chain and reduces costs while maintaining robust safety expectations.
GFSI also emphasizes capacity building, particularly for smaller businesses and emerging economies. Its Global Markets Programme provides a stepped approach, offering foundational requirements and pathways to progress towards full certification against a GFSI-recognized scheme (GFSI). This programme helps organizations build essential food safety capabilities incrementally.
Fundamentally, GFSI-benchmarked schemes build upon the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Achieving and maintaining certification under a GFSI-recognized programme requires documented food safety policies, verified implementation of prerequisite programmes and HACCP plans, effective management systems, and thorough record-keeping (GFSI). For many suppliers, certification to a GFSI-recognized standard has become a fundamental requirement for accessing major global markets, driven by retailer and manufacturer procurement policies (GFSI).
Through its benchmarking activities, capacity building initiatives, and facilitation of industry collaboration, GFSI works towards its goal of enhancing food safety, reducing risks, and building trust within increasingly complex global food supply chains (GFSI).
