IFS Food is an international standard that evaluates food producers' ability to deliver safe, authentic, and quality products in line with legal requirements and customer specifications. As part of the International Featured Standards (IFS), it aids businesses in meeting transparency and traceability demands, thereby enhancing product integrity and operational efficiency. With more than 30,000 certifications worldwide, IFS Food is one of the largest quality assurance and food safety standards globally.

The IFS Food Standard is applicable to all food production and processing companies, encompassing requirements for hygiene practices, quality control, and risk management. Certification audits are conducted annually by qualified IFS auditors from independent, accredited certification bodies, with at least one in every three audits being unannounced. A successful unannounced audit can earn a company 'Star Status.' Additionally, IFS offers an unannounced Food Safety Check.

Achieving IFS Certification promotes continuous improvement, assisting companies in reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency. The IFS scoring system encourages ongoing enhancement of processes, while its risk-based approach allows for individualized risk assessments and tailored solutions.

Companies certified to IFS Food are recognized for their commitment to high standards of food safety, quality, and authenticity. Certification provides assurance to customers and partners, supporting businesses in improving operational effectiveness.

About IFS

Established by the German Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE) and the French Fédération du Commerce et de la Distribution (FCD), IFS develops globally recognized product safety and quality standards, with a strong focus on food and consumer goods. IFS standards, including IFS Food, assess whether suppliers of private label and branded products can deliver safe, quality goods. With a risk-based, non-prescriptive approach, IFS standards provide companies flexibility in implementing requirements tailored to their specific product and process risks.

Accreditation and Recognition

IFS Food is internationally recognized and undergoes assessments by governmental and private organizations, enabling certified companies to gain trust, enter new markets, and attract new customers. IFS collaborates with the German accreditation body Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS), and the IFS Food Standard versions 7 and 8 are endorsed by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) under its Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA), strengthening its global acceptance. IFS is also a recognized stakeholder of the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA), which facilitates mutual recognition across Europe through the EA MLA, a framework supported by the European Commission.

European food safety authorities in countries like the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Romania, and Sweden recognize the IFS Food Standard, which may reduce the frequency of official inspections for certified sites. IFS is also recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), further enhancing its global acceptance in the industry.

For further information about IFS Food, visit the IFS Food Standard page.