IFS Food Certification: A Complete Guide to the Standard for Food Companies

IFS Food (International Featured Standards Food) Certification is one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized standards regarding the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of food products. For food companies operating in clearly organized B2B contexts, such as large-scale retail trade, private label industries, and international markets, the IFS certification is now a key tool for market access and competitive positioning. 

Over time, IFS Food certification has evolved from a requirement for individual retailers to a global standard, especially after being recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). 

This article is intended as a comprehensive and up-to-date technical guide, with a clear and concise approach oriented to the operational needs of food companies. 

The IFS Food certification is a voluntary standard developed to ensure that food companies produce safe food that complies with current regulations and meets customer contractual specifications. IFS was established in the early 2000s at the initiative of major European retail groups to harmonize supplier evaluation criteria and reduce Second-Party audits. 

The standard primarily applies to companies involved in food processing and primary packaging, a crucial stage of the supply chain. The IFS approach is strongly process-oriented: it doesn't simply verify the presence of procedures, but thoroughly evaluates how they are applied in daily practice.

From an operational standpoint, the IFS Food certification acknowledges the implementation of a management system that integrates food safety, quality, product legality, and customer demands. In this sense, IFS becomes an organizational governance tool, not just a formal requirement. 

More information about the standard and its official structure is available on the IFS Management GmbH website. 

There are multiple and often interconnected reasons why a company aims to obtain the IFS Food certification. First, many customers, particularly retailers and large-scale retail trade operators, IFS is a prerequisite for placing or maintaining certain products on the shelf. 

 

Beyond the commercial aspect, IFS Food brings about significant structural benefits, such as promoting a systemic approach to food safety that enhances a company's ability to prevent risks, manage non-compliance issues, and respond effectively to any critical scenario. All the above paves the way for greater operational stability and lower costs related to errors, complaints, and product recalls.

Moreover, being IFS-certified objectively demonstrates that a company is a reliable industrial partner; it also strengthens customer trust, improves brand perception, and makes new markets—including non-EU markets—more accessible.

Finally, there is an internal impact that should not be underestimated: the certification process fosters a more solid organizational awareness, a clearer definition of responsibilities, and a corporate culture geared toward continuous improvement.

Achieving the IFS Food certification is the ultimate goal of a ‘path’ that must be planned carefully and professionally. Typically, the first step is a Gap Analysis that compares the company’s current status with the standard’s requirements. This phase is crucial for identifying deviations and developing a realistic action plan.

Following the Gap Analysis, it is necessary to adapt the company’s management system to meet the certification standard. This may include revising the HACCP plan, updating operating procedures, enhancing supplier controls, implementing measures for food defense and food fraud prevention, and providing proper staff training.

Once the system is in place, one or more internal audits should be conducted to ensure that the requirements are met and that staff are prepared for the certification audit. This step helps identify critical issues that could threaten the success of the official verification.

The certification audit, carried out by an accredited body, involves a comprehensive review of all relevant documents and operations. The auditor evaluates all processes, reviews pertinent records, interviews personnel, and ultimately assesses the overall level of compliance with the certification standards. 

The IFS Food standard is organised into chapters that address all key aspects of company management. These include management responsibility, the food safety management system, hazard analysis and critical control points, human resource management, hygiene, and production process management. 

A distinctive feature of the standard is the KO (Knock-Out) Requirements—i.e., requirements deemed essential for food safety. Failing to meet even one of these requirements automatically results in an audit failure, regardless of the overall score achieved. 

This approach makes the IFS certification particularly stringent and emphasises truly critical areas, urging companies to maintain ongoing and structured control of their activities. 

IFS Food and BRCGS Food Safety are both GFSI-recognized standards and share the goal of ensuring high levels of food safety. However, they have significant differences in terms of structure and approach.

IFS adopts an evaluation system based on scores and levels of compliance, with a strong focus on process analysis and operational evidence. BRC, on the other hand, is generally more prescriptive and oriented towards formal compliance with requirements.

The choice between IFS and BRC depends primarily on target markets and customer demands. In some cases, companies decide to adopt both standards to maximize their competitiveness. 

The IFS system is not limited to the Food standard, but includes several schemes dedicated to the various stages of the agri-food supply chain. These include IFS Logistics for transport and storage activities, IFS Broker for commercial intermediation, and IFS Wholesale/Cash & Carry. 

This articulation allows for a consistent approach to safety and quality throughout the supply chain, promoting greater integration between operators.

In conclusion, IFS Food certification represents a strategic asset for food companies that want to operate in a structured, compliant, and competitive manner.

👉 GoodFood Consulting supports food companies throughout all phases of the IFS certification process, from the initial gap analysis to audit management and system maintenance over time.