A Complete Guide to IFS Food Standard Certification

With food, quality and safety are not a choice, but the pillars of your company. If you manufacture, supply, or sale of food, you understand how critical it is to remain compliant and ensure the safety of your customers. That is precisely where IFS Food certification fits in.

Respected globally, this food standard enables businesses to enhance food safety performance and satisfy the stringent benchmarks of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). By being certified, you have good systems in place via audits, meticulous documentation, and staff training, that demonstrate your commitment to quality and compliance.

Whatever your ambition, developing your brand, opening up new markets, or closer ties with retailers, IFS Food provides you with a clear way forward. Through this guide, you will find out what the IFS Food Standard entails, why it is important, and how it can assist you to secure your position in the food chain.

Overview of Food Safety

Food safety isn't something to be ticked in a box, it's the cornerstone of trust within the food sector. When individuals pick up a product off the shelf, they have an expectation that it's safe to consume. That isn't something that occurs randomly. In the background, food businesses, whether manufacturers, retailers, or within the supply chain management, strive to ensure all steps are secure.

It is here that global systems step in. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) establishes a standard of what food safety must be in various industries. Among the most important standards accepted by GFSI's benchmarking requirements is the IFS Food Standard, a standard that enables companies to develop more robust internal controls, successfully sail through periodic certification audits, and reliably supply high-quality products and even services.

By achieving IFS Food certification, firms demonstrate that they're serious about both efficiency and security. It's not only about preventing issues, it's about demonstrating to customers and suppliers that they're serious about food safety and quality on a daily basis.

What Is IFS in the Food Industry?

IFS is short for International Featured Standards, a system of regulations that assist food companies in demonstrating they're dealing with products safely and competently. It's not all about forms. It's an actual system that encourages companies to take food safety seriously, comply with laws, and maintain operations without any issues.

The IFS Food Standard is designed for food processing or packing loose items such as baked goods, frozen foods, or deli foods. The new edition (IFS Food Version 8) introduces the new rules that incorporate today's threats, more stringent legislation, and an increased emphasis on creating a genuine food safety culture.

More than just a pass/fail checklist, IFS gives businesses a structured way to mitigate risk, control hazards, and improve how they work. It’s about having a proper quality management system in place, from the production floor to the final package. If your business is part of the food supply chain, IFS helps show customers and partners that you’re serious about safety, compliance, and doing things right.

IFS vs. BRCGS vs. FSSC 22000

When selecting a food safety standard, it is useful to understand how IFS compares to other well-known ones such as BRCGS and FSSC 22000.

• IFS Food has a reputation for its comprehensive scoring system and emphasis on the development of strong supplier-retailer relationships. It's particularly favored by European purchasers and urges companies to improve with time.
• BRCGS has a wide international scope and is well-accepted within the UK and internationally. It's sometimes thought to be slightly more prescriptive, with an additional focus on brand protection and retailer expectations.
• FSSC 22000 is founded on ISO management system standards and is usually preferred by big food manufacturers with international operations. It's generally more concerned with overall management systems than retailer requirements.

All three are GFSI-approved, yet if you are working with European wholesalers or retailers, IFS Food certification would normally be the most suitable option.

Who Needs IFS Certification?

IFS certification isn’t reserved only for the big players. It’s designed for any food business that wants to prove it’s serious about safety and quality. If you’re involved in producing, processing, or selling food, this certification can open doors and build trust.

Here are some of the main groups that benefit from IFS Food certification:

• Food manufacturers manufacturing their own branded products who wish to demonstrate compliance with high standards.
• Suppliers closely cooperating with large retailers or distributors who need to prove compliance and reliability.
• Processors dealing with unpackaged or loose foods who have to mitigate risks in a sensitive manner.
• Private label manufacturers who intend to enhance credibility and attract new customers.
• Cash carry food suppliers wishing to prove sourcing and be differentiated in a competitive marketplace.

Ultimately, if your company comes into contact with food and you need to increase your reach, gain retailer trust, or enhance your operations, IFS certification is worth it, and usually necessary.

Benefits of IFS Certification

IFS certification makes your food company more robust by enhancing safety, controlling risk, and opening up market opportunities.

For Suppliers

Certification benefits suppliers by:

• Winning contracts: Numerous retailers and distributors demand IFS certification prior to collaboration.
• Preventing recalls: Hazard analysis and critical control points assist in detecting issues early.
• Creating trust: Being a certified firm communicates that you value food safety.
• Simplifying operations: A strong quality management system facilitates audits and reduces costs.
• Accessing new markets: IFS certification paves the way globally, particularly in Europe.

How to Get IFS Certified?

IFS Food certification does not happen overnight. It's mandatory and it requires meticulous preparation, collaboration, and robust systems in order to satisfy the requirements of the standard.

Gap Analysis and Internal Audit

Begin by evaluating your present food safety procedures. Determine gaps between what you presently do and what IFS demands. Perform an internal audit to practice the actual certification visit. This assists in identifying any issues early so that you can correct them before the official audit.

Select a Certification Body

Selecting the appropriate certification body is important. Opt for one that has IFS accreditation and familiar with your particular food industry. An auditor who knows your supply chain will offer an unbiased and pertinent evaluation.

Documentation and Implementation

Construct a sound quality management system that addresses all the basics. This comprises transparent food safety policies, standard operating procedures for major processes, hazard analysis, and critical control point plans. Don't forget to implement communication guidelines for suppliers and customers to keep everyone on the same page.

Training Staff

Your staff must learn to work with food safely and why it is necessary. Training develops a strong food safety culture, which is a major emphasis in IFS Food version 8. Workers need to demonstrate that they are dedicated to these practices daily.

IFS Audit (On-Site)

The certification agency will come to your site and perform a detailed audit. They'll check your site, examine documentation, talk to employees, and witness your operations. This on-site visit confirms whether your systems operate in practice, not only on paper.

Scoring and Results

IFS applies an easy-to-understand scoring system to grade your certification audit results:

• A indicates complete compliance
• B indicates minor deviation
• C indicates significant deviation
• D indicates severe non-conformance
• KO is knockout criteria, failure if not accomplished

You must have a minimum of 75% score and zero KO failures to achieve certification. It helps you know your strengths and weaknesses.

IFS Food Standard Requirements

IFS Food Standard version 8 is in line with international GFSI benchmarking requirements and focuses on six critical areas that food companies must excel at:

• Governance and Commitment: Leadership provides management direction. Management has to actively encourage a culture in which food safety takes precedence, demonstrating explicit responsibility and accountability.
• Food Safety and Quality Management System: This is about having the right documents and records. Your decisions should be backed by evidence, making sure everything is tracked and transparent.
• Resource Management: Proper training, strict hygiene, and clear role assignments for staff are essential. Everyone needs to know their part in keeping food safe.
• Operational Processes: From assessing hazards to tracking products through the supply chain, day-to-day operations must be tightly controlled and documented.
• Measurements, Analysis, and Improvement: Regular internal audits, monitoring customer complaints, and using key performance indicators and tools help you spot issues early and fix them before they escalate.
• Food Defense and Fraud Mitigation: Companies must have systems in place to protect against intentional contamination, tampering, or fraud, keeping consumers and brands safe.

Instead of mere box ticking, the IFS Food Standard invites companies to positively review their performance against food safety, confirm systems are in efficient operation, and improve processes year by year.

IFS Scoring System Explained

The IFS scoring system is designed to give a clear picture of how well your food safety processes measure up and where there’s room to grow.

Here’s what the ratings mean:

• A – Full compliance: Everything meets the standard perfectly. No major issues found.
• B – Minor deviation: Small problems that don’t impact safety but should be fixed.
• C – Major deviation: Serious gaps that require corrective action to avoid risks.
• D – Critical non-conformance: Severe failures that need immediate attention to protect safety.
• KO – Knock-Out criteria: These are deal-breakers. If even one KO is failed, certification is denied, no matter the rest of the scores.

After the audit, you get a detailed report explaining your results. If you pass, your company can be listed in the official IFS certified companies database. This transparency lets buyers, retailers, and consumers have a kind of verification to your certification easily.

Certification lasts for 12 months, and to keep things honest, there’s also the option for surprise audits. These unannounced checks show that you’re serious about maintaining food safety every day, not just during scheduled visits.

Top 10 IFS-Certified Suppliers in Europe

1. DELAFRUIT S.L.U. — Spain

Delafruit is a reliable supplier of allergen-free, healthy foods for children and adults. It produces fruit and vegetable purees, cereals, dairy, and ready meals. Its focus on sustainability and innovation is supported by complete IFS certification, guaranteeing regular quality and safety.

Contact Supplier

2. GOLDEN FOODS S.A. — Spain

Golden Foods has a wide range of fruit, vegetable, and ready-meal products with emphasis placed heavily on quality and innovation. Their IFS certification is evidence of their exacting standards. They supply international retail brands with products as diverse as vegan gelatins and traditional sauces, always to stringent safety regulations.

Contact Supplier

3. BURG GROUP — United Kingdom

Having more than 75 years of experience in business, Burg Group is one of the leading suppliers for syrups and natural vinegars. The company produces its products to meet retail and private label customers' requirements, backed by processes that are IFS-certified. This means each bottle complies with rigorous food safety and quality standards.

Contact Supplier

4. SALVEST AS — Estonia

Salvest is a Estonian food suppliers best known for organic baby foods, jams, soups, and ready meals. Their commitment to innovation and natural ingredients is matched by their IFS certification, which demonstrates their commitment to safe, high-quality nutrition across the board.

Contact Supplier

5. POINT OF FOOD LEBENSMITTELVERTRIEBS GMBH — Germany

Point of Food is a German manufacturer specialized in frozen pizzas, snacks and more convenience foods dedicated to its B2B clients. It boasts over 35 years of experience and operates under full IFS certification, providing peace of mind that products are produced under tight safety controls and meet high-quality standards.

Contact Supplier

6. MLIN KATIĆ D.O.O. — Slovakia

Mlin Katić is a reputable name in milling, with a history of producing high-quality flours and grain products. They have an extensive range to choose from, including organic cereals, gluten-free flours, legumes, and protein mixtures specialized for bakers and food producers. Their full IFS certification assures their devotion to food safety and quality consistency throughout their product range.

Contact Supplier

7. NATURIS SPA — Italy

Naturis is an innovator in plant food ingredients, committed to developing clean-label, sustainable food solutions. They produce pulses, cereals, and functional ingredients that suit the modern health-aware consumer and producer. As an IFS-certified organization, Naturis has all products following high standards of safety while preserving natural quality.

Contact Supplier

8. OERLEMANS FOODS — Netherlands

Oerlemans Foods is a specialist in freshly frozen vegetables, fruits, and potato products. They offer more than 1,000 products to international retail, foodservice, and industrial clients. Specializing in organic and bio-dynamic farming practices, Oerlemans exports overseas and is certified IFS and BRC, reflecting their high commitment to quality and safety.

Contact Supplier

9. ARRIVE LES ESSARTS SA — France

Arrive Les Essarts specializes in supplying frozen meat and seafood products with nutritional and flavorful features. They offer a variety of seafood and chicken cuts that are packed with a balance of necessary nutrients, which appeal to consumers with health concerns. Their IFS certification attests to their high standards of food safety and product integrity.

Contact Supplier

10. GRECI — Italy

Greci supplies high-quality ready-to-use products to professional caterers with a focus on genuine Italian tastes. From its portfolio of sauces, ready meals, and frozen seafood products, Greci has offerings for rigorous culinary requirements. With IFS certification, Greci ensures food safety, enabling chefs and companies to serve quality dishes confidently.

Contact Supplier

Conclusion

​​IFS Food certification indicates one's commitment to the safety and quality of their food. It identifies and manages risks, allows one to stay on top of the law, and enhances one's process; from bakeries to meat processing plants, private-label packaging, or otherwise-this standard makes your food safe.

The benefits extend throughout the supply chain—from manufacturers to retailers and ultimately to consumers. Certification increases transparency, enforces compliance, and protects your brand reputation. For companies serious about food safety and supply chain integrity, investing in IFS Food certification is a practical step toward lasting success.