Audits/Certification/GFSI

SQF Food Safety Code Edition 10 Arrives in a Digital-First Format

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:30:13 -0500

Marking the first time an SQF Code is introduced as a fully digital experience, the newly released Edition 10 is designed to strengthen audit credibility, reinforce food safety culture, and provide clearer signals around risk.

FoodChain ID, Vinacontrol Enter Partnership

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:42:19 -0500

The collaboration aims to broaden access to inspection and certification services for agriculture and food enterprises operating in Vietnam’s dynamic regulatory and commercial environment.

ASI Rebrands to Kiwa ASI

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:44:23 -0500

The announcement comes one month after bringing Canadian certification body TSLC into the Kiwa ASI brand.

FoodChain ID Announces Partnership in Ukraine, Acquisition in Brazil

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:40:30 -0500

FoodChain ID recently announced two global developments: a partnership with the Center of Excellence for Life Sciences, Agriculture, and Bioingenuity to support recovery of the Ukrainian agri-food sector and the acquisition of Brazilian certification body Sbcert.

SQFI Announces Release Date for SQF Edition 10

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:02:00 -0500

The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) has announced that SQF Edition 10 will be released in early March 2026, after a delay due to an extension in the GFSI benchmarking application time line.

Global Research Report Reveals Gaps, Opportunities in Food Safety Auditing

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:12:09 -0500

Based on extensive global dialogue and a survey of auditors and industry professionals, a new report published by World of Auditing reveals that food safety auditing is at a pivotal turning point, outlining longstanding challenges and significant opportunities for modernization.

Provision Announces Real-Time Food Safety Risk Scoring for Food, Beverage Operations

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:30:08 -0400

Launching in early 2026, Provision Risk Scoring translates complex food safety records into clear, actionable insights, enabling continuous monitoring and informed decision-making at all levels of an organization.

Eurofins Offers New Food, Supplement Certification for Quality, Compliance

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:35:22 -0400

Eurofins has launched a new product certification designed to safeguard the quality of dietary supplements, ingredients, and food.

Registrar Corp Now Offers Online, Self-Paced PCQI Certification Course

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:55:21 -0400

Registrar Corp now offers a fully virtual, self-paced Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) course that meets FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements and offers an an official Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) certificate.

Beyond the Score: Risk-Focused Audits and the Ethics of Prevention

solutions@foodsafetymuse.com (Cori Muse) — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses focus points for risk-focused auditing and auditing with defined goals.

Ep. 193. Christian Ararat: A Global Perspective on Auditing, Certifications, AI, and Beyond

Tue, 13 May 2025 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Christian Ararat, a seasoned food safety and quality professional with a global perspective, about a range of topics, including auditing, traceability, certifications, exporting to the U.S., and artificial intelligence (AI). We also hear from Joseph Corby, the recipient of Food Safety Magazine’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award, about his illustrious career and advocacy work.

Addressing the Workforce Shortage in Food Safety: A Critical Challenge for a Secure Food System

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses the development of a USDA-NIFA funded project aimed at solving the problem of the dire workforce shortage of food safety inspectors, auditors, and managers through a paradigm shift in food safety education in higher education.

NSF 537: New PFAS-Free Certification for Food Industry Equipment, Chemical Suppliers

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:33:24 -0400

“NSF Certification Guideline 537: PFAS-Free Products for Nonfood Compounds and Food Equipment Materials” (NSF 537) is a new certification for suppliers of food equipment materials, nonfood compounds, and chemicals to distinguish their products as free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS).

The Value of Food Safety Audits: Global Research

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500

A joint study by World of Auditing and Çağ University aims to deliver science-based insights into the size, scope, and dynamics of food safety auditing challenges and opportunities. Please share your insights in the survey!

Quality, SQF, and the Importance of Changing Food Safety Behaviors

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Which comes first: generating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to drive improvements in quality and food safety behavior, or improving behaviors and then generating the appropriate SOPs? Does the SQF/GFSI process drive the first approach or the second? The answer to both questions is: yes.

New GMP Certification Program for Food Supplements Seeking U.S. Regulatory Compliance

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:00:56 -0500

To support companies seeking to achieve regulatory compliance in the U.S., Eurofins Healthcare Assurance network of companies now offers a new Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification program for dietary and food supplements.

The Importance of Internal Audits

rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500

An internal audit is an intensive assessment of all elements making up the food safety management system. It helps determine if the system is effective and is being properly maintained.

GFSI Releases Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:55:08 -0500

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has released its revised Benchmarking Requirements, version 2024 (BMRs v2024).

GFSI Responds to Stakeholder Feedback on Benchmarking Requirements v2024

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:06:50 -0500

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has published a response to feedback received on the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) v2024 stakeholder consultation.

GFSI Seeking Input on Food Safety Auditor Professional Development Framework

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:42:36 -0400

The Consumer Good Forum’s Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has launched a consultation on a new Food Safety Auditor Professional Development Framework.

IFS Food Standard v8 Achieves GFSI Recognition

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:45:29 -0400

IFS Food Standard version 8 has successfully achieved recognition against Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Benchmarking Requirements v2020.

FSSC 22000 Version 6 Achieves GFSI Recognition

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 13:33:52 -0400

FSSC 22000 has achieved recognition against Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Benchmarking Requirements.

Allergen Bureau Transitions to VITAL 4.0 Standard for Precautionary Allergen Labeling

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 11:25:09 -0400

Providing food manufacturers with a standardized methodology for determining whether precautionary allergen labeling is appropriate for their products, the Allergen Bureau has introduced the latest version of its risk assessment tool, Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labeling (VITAL®) 4.0.

GLOBALG.A.P. Certification Programs for Seafood, Produce Gain GFSI Recognition

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:30:28 -0400

GLOBALG.A.P. has received Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognition for two of its certification programs.

‘Future of Food Safety Auditing’ Whitepaper Released

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0400

The Think Tank on the Future of Food Safety Auditing was formed in response to an urgent need for innovation in food safety auditing. Based on the insights and recommendations from the Think Tank, industry must embrace transformative change in food safety auditing practices, as discussed in a recently released whitepaper.

GFSI Selects Working Group to Develop New Benchmarking Requirements by End of 2024

Tue, 21 May 2024 15:11:34 -0400

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has established a new Benchmarking and Harmonization Working Group to develop and maintain GFSI Benchmarking Requirements (BMR), with the aim of to delivering a new set of BMR by the end of 2024.

Bonus Episode: Live from the 2024 Food Safety Summit—Part 2

Thu, 16 May 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In the second of this two-part episode of Food Safety Matters, we interviewed professionals from the industry, regulatory, and nonprofit sectors, live from the show floor of the Food Safety Summit, which took place on May 6–9 in Rosemont, Illinois. We discussed women in food safety, allergen control, the future of auditing, and more.

GFSI Recognizes GRMA Inc. Certification Program Version 1.2

Wed, 15 May 2024 14:03:35 -0400

The Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) Inc. Certification Program Version 1.2 has received recognition against the Forum’s Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Benchmarking Requirements.

GFSI Opens Stakeholder Consultation for FSSC 22000 Version 6

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:44:33 -0400

As part of its Benchmarking process, the Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has opened a new stakeholder consultation for the FSSC 22000 Version 6 standard.

GFSI Opens Stakeholder Consultation for IFS Food Standard Version 8

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:26:38 -0400

The Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has opened a new stakeholder consultation for IFS Food Standard, Version 8.