View source for Global Food Safety Initiative

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Global Food Safety Initiative
|OrganizationType=Non-profit, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), International Organizations
|Mission=GFSI's mission is to ensure the safety of food throughout the supply chain, promoting continuous improvement of food safety management systems to deliver safe food to consumers worldwide. It achieves this by harmonizing food safety standards and benchmarking certification programs.
|ParentOrganization=Consumer Goods Forum
|TopOrganization=Consumer Goods Forum
|OrganizationExecutive=Director General
|Services=Benchmarking; Certification recognition; Training; Conferences
|HeadquartersLocation=50.84499, 4.35681
|HeadquartersAddress=Avenue des Arts 46, Brussels, 1000, Belgium
|Website=https://mygfsi.com/
}}
{{Short description|Private organization}}


The '''Global Food Safety Initiative''' ('''GFSI''') is a private organization that works as a "coalition of action" from the [[Consumer Goods Forum]] (CGF) and brings together retailers and brand owners (manufacturers) from across the CGF membership. The GFSI operates under [[multistakeholder governance|multi-stakeholder governance]], with the objective to create "an extended food safety community to oversee food safety standards for businesses and help provide access to safe food for people everywhere".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Overview|url=https://mygfsi.com/who-we-are/overview/|access-date=3 November 2021|website=myGFSI|publisher=GFSI|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030090136/https://mygfsi.com/who-we-are/overview/|url-status=live}}</ref> GFSI's work in benchmarking and [[Harmonization (standards)|harmonization]] aims to foster mutual acceptance of GFSI-recognized certification programs across the industry, with the ambition to enable a "once certified, accepted everywhere" approach.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Recognition|url=https://mygfsi.com/how-to-implement/recognition/|access-date=3 November 2021|website=MyGFSI}}</ref>

{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://mygfsi.com/}}

==About==
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a business-driven initiative for the continuous improvement of [[food safety]] management systems, with the ambition to ensure confidence in the delivery of safe food to consumers worldwide. GFSI provides a platform for collaboration between some of the world's leading food safety experts from retailer, manufacturer, food service companies, service providers associated with the food supply chain, international organizations, academia, and government.

The initiative was launched in 2000 following a number of food safety crises and pending changes to public laws in the food sector, including EU food law.<ref>{{CELEX|id=02002R0178-20240701|text=Consolidated text: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety}}</ref> With legal obligations for their supply chains, and compliance connected to liability, European retailers decided to use [[technical standards]] to comply with public law requirements.<ref>{{cite book |last=Van der Meulen |first=B.|title=Reconciling food law to competitiviness. Report on the regulatory environment of the European food and dairy sector |date=2009 |publisher=Wageningen Academic Publishers |isbn=9789086860982 |url=https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/reconciling-food-law-to-competitiviness-report-on-the-regulatory- |access-date=20 November 2024 |archive-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121151154/https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/reconciling-food-law-to-competitiviness-report-on-the-regulatory- |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since then, experts from all over the world have been collaborating in numerous technical working groups to tackle current food safety issues defined by GFSI stakeholders. Key activities within GFSI include the definition and control of minimum requirements for food safety certification programs and a robust benchmarking process. GFSI benchmarking and recognition of existing technical standards are used for food safety certification programs, with the objective to enhance confidence, acceptance, and implementation of third-party certification along the entire food supply chain.

Other important activities include the development of a capacity-building program for small and/or less developed businesses to facilitate their access to local markets, and a continuous focus on food safety auditor competence to bring industry experts in collaboration with key stakeholders to a common consensus on the skills, knowledge, and attributes that a competent auditor should possess.

In 2020, GFSI launched a program named The Race to the Top (RTTT), with the objective to address specific challenges in relation to lack of trust and confidence in GFSI-recognized certification.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stakeholder Consultation – Implementing GFSI's Conceptual Framework for 'The Race to the Top' |url=https://mygfsi.com/news_updates/stakeholder-consultation-the-race-to-the-top/ |website=mygfsi.com |date=5 May 2020 |publisher=GFSI |access-date=21 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921120504/https://mygfsi.com/news_updates/stakeholder-consultation-the-race-to-the-top/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This included food safety recalls for food manufacturers with GFSI-recognized certificates in the supply chains of their [[Consumer Goods Forum]] members.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Torfs |first1=Michaël |title=Greenyard recalling products in 80 countries after reports of nine listeria deaths |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2018/07/14/greenyard-under-fire-due-to-potential-listeria-infection/ |website=vrt.be |date=14 July 2018 |access-date=14 July 2018 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920073822/https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2018/07/14/greenyard-under-fire-due-to-potential-listeria-infection/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FDA Investigated Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka Infections Linked to Kellogg's Honey Smacks Cereal |url=https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/fda-investigated-multistate-outbreak-salmonella-mbandaka-infections-linked-kelloggs-honey-smacks |website=fda.gov |date=9 September 2020 |publisher=FDA}}</ref> In 2022, IFS reported they had requested the legality of the RTTT to be reviewed by the [[Federal Cartel Office]] under antitrust and competition law.<ref>{{cite web |title=Important Notification about GFSI suspension |url=https://www.ifs-certification.com/index.php/en/news/news-archiv/4304-important-notification-about-gfsi-suspension |website=ifs-certification.com |access-date=9 December 2022 |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123022120/https://www.ifs-certification.com/index.php/en/news/news-archiv/4304-important-notification-about-gfsi-suspension |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Benchmarking==
Within GFSI, [[benchmarking]] is a procedure by which a food safety-related certification programme is compared to GFSI benchmarking requirements.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Harmonisation|url=https://mygfsi.com/what-we-do/harmonisation/|access-date=10 November 2021|website=MyGFSI|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110100038/https://mygfsi.com/what-we-do/harmonisation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2000, food safety was a top-of-mind issue for companies due to several high-profile recalls, quarantines, and negative publicity about the food industry. There was also extensive audit fatigue throughout the industry, as retailers performed inspections or audits themselves or asked a third party to do this on their behalf. These were often carried out against food safety schemes that lacked international certification and accreditation, resulting in incompatible auditing results.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kellermann |first1=Martin |title=Ensuring Quality to Gain Access to Global Markets: A Reform Toolkit |date=2019 |publisher=International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) |location=Washington, DC |isbn=978-1-4648-1372-6 |page=53 |url=https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/249621553265195570-0090022019/original/FullQIToolkitReport.pdf |chapter=3.3 Private Standards |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426201305/https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/249621553265195570-0090022019/original/FullQIToolkitReport.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

CEOs of global companies came together at the Consumer Goods Forum, knowing that under new pending EU food law, "unsatisfactory inspection results should lead to appropriate action". If they could demonstrate that technical standards avoid non-compliance to food law, enforcement authorities would be less likely to prosecute their companies in the event of food safety incidents within supply chains.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Martinez |first1=M.G |last2=Fearne |first2=A |last3=Caswell |first3=J.A |last4=Henson |first4=S.J |title=Co-regulation as a possible model for food safety governance: opportunities for public-private partnerships |journal=Food Policy |date=2007 |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=299–314 |doi=10.1016/j.foodpol.2006.07.005 |url=https://scholarworks.umass.edu/resec_faculty_pubs/35/ |access-date=25 November 2021 |archive-date=25 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125222549/https://scholarworks.umass.edu/resec_faculty_pubs/35/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The CEOs agreed that consumer trust needed to be strengthened and maintained through a safer supply chain.

GFSI was created to achieve this through the [[Harmonization (standards)|harmonization]] of food safety standards that would help mitigate liability exposure for retailers and reduce audit duplication throughout the supply chain. At the time, there was no existing scheme that could be adopted by all. GFSI therefore chose to implement benchmarking, developing a model that determines equivalency between existing food safety schemes, whilst leaving flexibility and choice in the marketplace.

Benchmarking allows multiple certification programmes with GFSI recognition to enter the marketplace. This created strong competition among certification programme owners (CPO) who employ large marketing teams with annual growth targets. GFSI benchmarking implies equivalency, though the financial opportunities with certification programme fees<ref>{{cite web |title=BRC service fee increase 2022 |url=https://techni-k.co.uk/brcgs-standards/brc-service-fee-increase/ |website=techni-k.co.uk |date=2 March 2021 |publisher=Techni-K |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421140238/https://techni-k.co.uk/brcgs-standards/brc-service-fee-increase/ |url-status=live }}</ref> resulted in a [[perverse incentive]], with CPOs working to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The unintended consequence of harmonization was fragmentation due to additional CPO entrants requesting recognition for monetary gain. Companies that have to choose a certification program often hire consultants to help them decide on the best scheme, which causes confusion for stakeholders.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Washington |first1=Sally |title=Private standards and certification in fisheries and aquaculture |date=2011 |publisher=FAO |isbn=978-92-5-106730-7 |url=http://www.fao.org/in-action/globefish/publications/details-publication/en/c/338612/ |access-date=29 May 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929122405/http://www.fao.org/in-action/globefish/publications/details-publication/en/c/338612/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Horlock |first1=David |title=Collaborate, innovate and accelerate; how standards build consensus and facilitate trade |url=https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/blog/food-industry-blog-news/food-community/ |website=bsigroup.com |publisher=BSI |access-date=2 October 2021 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001131258/https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/blog/food-industry-blog-news/food-community/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

GFSI is not a CPO and does not undertake any certification or accreditation activities. However, it is structured and designed to control the minimum requirements in schemes and therefore influence certification activities. GFSI represents its Consumer Goods Forum members, and their steering committee [[Multistakeholder governance|governance]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Governance |url=https://mygfsi.com/who-we-are/governance |website=mygfsi.com |publisher=Consumer Goods Forum |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006220517/https://mygfsi.com/who-we-are/governance/ |url-status=live }}</ref> have controlling interest to decide benchmarking requirements.

'''GFSI objectives''':
* Reduce food safety risks by delivering equivalence and convergence between effective food safety management systems
* Manage cost in the global [[food system]] by eliminating redundancy and improving operational efficiency
* Develop competencies and capacity-building in food safety to create consistent and effective global food systems
* Provide a unique international stakeholder platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mygfsi.com/about-gfsi/vision-mission-and-objectives.html |title=Mission And Objectives |publisher=GFSI |access-date=18 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420042603/http://www.mygfsi.com/about-gfsi/vision-mission-and-objectives.html |archive-date=20 April 2012}}</ref>

==Recognition==
GFSI has recognized a number of food safety management programs that fulfill the criteria of the GFSI benchmarking requirements.<ref name=":0" /> These are regularly revised by GFSI to reflect improvements in best practices. GFSI is not a CPO in itself and does not carry out any accreditation or certification activities.

The status of recognition is achieved through a comprehensive benchmarking process.<ref name=Certification>{{Cite web |url=https://mygfsi.com/how-to-implement/cpos-undergoing-benchmarking |title=GFSI-Recognized CPOs Undergoing Benchmarking Against V2020 |publisher=GFSI |access-date=20 March 2021 |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228222112/https://mygfsi.com/how-to-implement/cpos-undergoing-benchmarking |url-status=live }}</ref> Once a standard has gained formal recognition by the GFSI steering committee, this standard is deemed to meet all of the requirements in the GFSI benchmarking requirements.<ref name=":0" />

Certification according to a GFSI-recognized certification programme can be achieved through a successful [[Certification|third-party audit]] against any of the following certification programs, recognized by GFSI:<ref name=Certification />
* [[British Retail Consortium|BRC]] Global Standard for Food Safety, issue 8
* BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, issue 6
* BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers, issue 2
* BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution, issue 4
* CanadaGAP (Canadian Horticultural Council On-Farm Food Safety Program), v8
* Freshcare FSQ, edition 4.2
* FSSC 22000, v5.1 (based on requirements defined in [[ISO 22000]])
* Global Aquaculture Alliance Seafood – Seafood Processing Standard, version 5.1
* Global Red Meat Standard
* GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance Scheme, v5.4
* GLOBALG.A.P. Harmonized Produce Safety Standard, v1.2
* GLOBALG.A.P. Produce Handling Assurance Standard , v1.2
* International Featured Standards IFS Food, v7
* International Featured Standards IFS Logistics, v2.2
* International Featured Standards IFS Broker, v3
* International Featured Standards IFS PACsecure, v1.1
* Japan Food Safety Management Association JFS-C, v3.0
* Japan GAP Foundation ASIAGAP, version 2.3
* PrimusGFS Standard, version 3.2
* SQF Safe Quality Food Code, edition 9

Up-to-date information on the status of CPO benchmarking and recognition is published on the GFSI website.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Certification Programme Owners|url=https://mygfsi.com/how-to-implement/recognition/certification-programme-owners/|access-date=12 November 2021|website=MyGFSI|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105171623/https://mygfsi.com/how-to-implement/recognition/certification-programme-owners|url-status=live}}</ref> Some CPOs are registered as [[nonprofit organizations]] and others as [[for-profit corporation|for-profit]].

==Conformity assessment==
The third-party audit of certification programs with GFSI recognition is performed by accredited certification bodies. GFSI allows certification programs to choose which conformity assessment requirements certification bodies must follow. The two options are:
* ISO/IEC 17021 conformity assessment — requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems
* ISO/IEC 17065 conformity assessment — requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services

Certification programmes following ISO/IEC 17021 must also meet the requirements of ISO 22003-1 certification of food safety management systems; ISO 22003-2 certification of food safety systems is supplemental to ISO/IEC 17065.

ISO 17021 and ISO 17065 follow ISO/IEC 17000 for vocabulary and general principles,<ref>{{cite web |title=ISO/IEC 17000:2020(en) Conformity assessment — Vocabulary and general principles |url=https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso-iec:17000:ed-2:v2:en |website=iso.org |publisher=ISO |access-date=25 November 2021 |archive-date=17 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617031837/https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso-iec:17000:ed-2:v2:en |url-status=live }}</ref> which defines the terms "conformity assessment scheme" and "scheme". This term is referenced by regulators.<ref>{{CELEX|id=52010XC1216(02)|text=Commission Communication — EU best practice guidelines for voluntary certification schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs}}</ref> In 2018, GFSI introduced a new term, Certification Program Owner, to refer to scheme owners. Additionally, GFSI raised an objection to the term "scheme" in the Codex Committee Electronic Working Group for Codex Draft  Principles and Guidelines for the assessment and use of voluntary third-party assurance programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=draft Principles and Guidelines for the assessment and use of voluntary Third-Party Assurance (vTPA) programmes |url=http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FCircular%252520Letters%252FCL%2525202021-52-OCS%252Fcl21_52e.pdf |website=fao.org/ |publisher=Codex Alimentarius Commission |access-date=6 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006133213/http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FCircular%252520Letters%252FCL%2525202021-52-OCS%252Fcl21_52e.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This resulted in a new term, "vTPA", being introduced.

A comparative study of schemes explains an ISO 17065 scheme as [[product certification]], which is prescriptive, and an ISO 17021
scheme as a management certification, and non-prescriptive.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pop |first1=S.Z. |last2=Dracea |first2=R. |last3=Vlădulescu |first3=C. |title=Comparative Study of Certification Schemes for Food Safety Management Systems in the European Union Context |journal=Amfiteatru Economic |date=February 2018 |volume=20 |issue=47 |pages=9–29 |doi=10.24818/EA/2018/47/9 |url=https://www.amfiteatrueconomic.ro/temp/Article_2692.pdf |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301215254/https://www.amfiteatrueconomic.ro/temp/Article_2692.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> A paper from the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]], with a review of literature (Wolff and Scannell, 2008; FAO, 2009a; IIED, 2009; WTO, 2010), highlighted concerns that included private food safety standards being prescriptive rather than outcome-focused.<ref>{{cite book |title=Private Food Safety Standards: Their Role in Food Safety Regulation and their Impact |date=2010 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization |page=10 |url=http://www.fao.org/food/food-safety-quality/a-z-index/private-food-standards0/en/ |access-date=9 July 2010 |archive-date=29 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929140055/http://www.fao.org/food/food-safety-quality/a-z-index/private-food-standards0/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Industry influence and motivation==
Under the umbrella of GFSI, eight major retailers ([[Carrefour]], [[Tesco]], [[ICA AB|ICA]], [[Metro AG|Metro]], [[Migros]], [[Ahold]], [[Wal-Mart]], and [[Delhaize]]) operate as a private sector-led Multi-Stakeholder Initiative (MSI), also referred to as [[multistakeholder governance|mult-istakeholder governance]]. Major retailers came to a common acceptance of the GFSI benchmarked food safety certification programs in June 2007.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wellik |first=Rhonda |date=2 April 2012 |url=https://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/global-food-safety-initiative-improves-organizational-culture-efficiency-in-food-industry/ |title=Global Food Safety Initiative Improves Organizational Culture, Efficiency in Food Industry |magazine=Food Quality and Safety |publisher=Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |access-date=20 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414024632/https://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/global-food-safety-initiative-improves-organizational-culture-efficiency-in-food-industry/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The motivation for retailer- and brand-owner influence over benchmarking requirements for CPOs is focused on their legal liability, mostly related to food safety failures within supply chains.<ref>{{cite book |last=Van der Meulen |first=Bernd |title=Private food law Governing food chains through contract law, self-regulation, private standards, audits and certification schemes |date=2011 |publisher=Wageningen Academic |isbn=978-90-8686-176-7 |page=97|url=https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/cbb8b2b8-9ad6-4f36-a1c7-0090187c8262/396410.pdf |access-date=20 November 2024 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185025/https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/cbb8b2b8-9ad6-4f36-a1c7-0090187c8262/396410.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Under EU food law, retailers and brand owners have a legal responsibility for their brands, and the main reason GFSI was founded at the time was to comply with the legal obligation to check suppliers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Willem Paul de Mooij |title=IFS boss outraged by suspension: 'GFSI unjustly shames us' |url=https://www.vmt.nl/60530/ifs-boss-outraged-by-suspension-gfsi-unjustly-shames-us |website=vmt.nl |date=December 2022 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624192851/https://www.vmt.nl/60530/ifs-boss-outraged-by-suspension-gfsi-unjustly-shames-us |url-status=live }}</ref> This legal obligation stimulated a parallel development of private standards as self-regulation tools, adding to the global food sector's burden, as the requirements were focused on liability mitigation against EU food law.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Christodoulou |first1=Maria |title=Study on the evaluation of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 ("the General Food Law Regulation") |date=October 2015 |publisher=European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety |url=https://food.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2018-01/gfl_fitc_external_study_gen_part_gfl.pdf |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714182404/https://food.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2018-01/gfl_fitc_external_study_gen_part_gfl.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Retailers were cautious to avoid potential scandals, which resulted in taking the lead on technical committees and with governance over standard-setting organizations such as IFS and BRCGS.<ref>{{cite book |title=Standard for auditing product and process compliance in relation to food safety and quality |date=April 2023 |publisher=IFS Management GmbH |page=4 |edition=8 |url=https://www.ifs-certification.com/images/ifs_documents/IFS_Food_v8_standard_EN_1681804068.pdf |chapter=Members of the IFS International Technical Committee |access-date=27 August 2023 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530154501/https://www.ifs-certification.com/images/ifs_documents/IFS_Food_v8_standard_EN_1681804068.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BRCGS Governance |url=https://www.brcgs.com/about-brcgs/governance/ |website=brcgs.com |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503153959/https://www.brcgs.com/about-brcgs/governance/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Concerns around self-regulation and corporate governance in the absence of government regulation have been raised by the Institute for Multi-Stakeholder Initiative Integrity, with conclusions that private-sector MSIs adopt weak or narrow standards that better serve corporate interests than rightsholder interests.<ref>{{cite book |title=Not Fit-for-Purpose The Grand Experiment of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives in Corporate Accountability, Human Rights and Global Governance |date=July 2020 |publisher=MSI Integrity |location=San Francisco: Institute for Multi-Stakeholder Initiative Integrity |url=https://www.msi-integrity.org/not-fit-for-purpose/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017221913/https://www.msi-integrity.org/not-fit-for-purpose/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Who's Tipping the Scales? |url=http://www.ipes-food.org/pages/tippingthescales |website=ipes-food.org |publisher=IPES-Food |access-date=17 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508224618/http://www.ipes-food.org/pages/tippingthescales |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Divided opinion within GFSI==
Brand owners, who are more focused on manufacturing food, and retailers, who are more focused on selling food, have divided opinions on schemes with GFSI recognition. The majority of brand owners who are GFSI members<ref>{{cite web |title=Governance |url=https://mygfsi.com/who-we-are/governance |website=mygfsi.com |publisher=GFSI |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006220517/https://mygfsi.com/who-we-are/governance/ |url-status=live }}</ref> implement FSSC 22000 in their manufacturing facilities. This includes  [[Barilla]], [[Cargill]], [[Coca-Cola]], [[Danone]], [[Kraft Heinz]], [[Mondelez]], [[PepsiCo]], and [[Nestle]]. FSSC 22000 is based on an [[international standard]] ([[ISO 22000]]) and follows ISO 17021.

Brand owners choose FSSC 22000 for two reasons: Firstly, food manufacturing is a [[process manufacturing|process industry]], and ISO 17021 is a process-based approach to food safety, which complements process manufacturing. Secondly, some brand owners have implemented ISO-integrated management systems in their manufacturing facilities, which are designed for integration with [[ISO 9001]] Quality, [[ISO 14001]] Environmental, and [[ISO 45001]] Occupational Health & Safety standards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Safe Working Environment |url=https://www.mondelezinternational.com/Snacking-Made-Right/ESG-Topics/Safe-Working-Environment |website=mondelezinternational.com |publisher=Mondelez |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027024032/https://www.mondelezinternational.com/Snacking-Made-Right/ESG-Topics/Safe-Working-Environment |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Integrated Management of food safety, quality, environment, health and safety |url=https://www.cargill.com/sustainability/aquaculture/integrated-management |website=cargill.com |publisher=Cargill |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170347/https://www.cargill.com/sustainability/aquaculture/integrated-management |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nestlé Quality Policy |url=https://www.nestle.com/sites/default/files/asset-library/documents/library/documents/suppliers/quality_policy_nestle.pdf |website=nestle.com |publisher=Nestlé |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029172427/https://www.nestle.com/sites/default/files/asset-library/documents/library/documents/suppliers/quality_policy_nestle.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Quality & Food Safety Policy |url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/policies-and-practices/quality-and-food-safety-policy |website=coca-colacompany.com |publisher=Coca-Cola |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170620/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/policies-and-practices/quality-and-food-safety-policy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Offer superior experiences and innovate, always |url=https://www.danone.com/integrated-annual-reports/integrated-annual-report-2019/performance/offer-superior-food-experience-and-innovate-always.html |website=danone.com |date=21 April 2021 |publisher=Danone |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170739/https://www.danone.com/integrated-annual-reports/integrated-annual-report-2019/performance/offer-superior-food-experience-and-innovate-always.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2007, the [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development]] and the [[World Trade Organization]] jointly organized an informal information session on private standards. A proposal was made to GFSI to adopt [[ISO 22000]] as a single international standard for the reasons of impartiality, independence, consensus, and no scheme-owner fees. There was strong opposition from scheme owners, as their schemes would likely become obsolete if an international standard was adopted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joint UNCTAD/WTO informal information session on private standards |url=https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/private_standards_june07_e/private_standards_june07_e.htm |website=wto.org |publisher=World Trade Organization (WTO) |access-date=18 June 2023 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401205755/https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/private_standards_june07_e/private_standards_june07_e.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Retailers rejected the proposal due to their close relationships with scheme owners using private standards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our services and quality systems, IFS |url=https://www.schoutenadvies.nl/en/kwaliteitssystemen/ifs/ |website=.schoutenadvies.nl |publisher=Schouten Advies |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029174353/https://www.schoutenadvies.nl/en/kwaliteitssystemen/ifs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The proposal was raised again in 2020, and GFSI restated their position not to have one standard for the food industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=One Standard for the Food Industry |url=https://mygfsi.com/news_updates/one-standard-for-the-food-industry-ask-gfsi/ |website=mygfsi.com/ |date=13 August 2020 |publisher=Global Food Safety Initiative |access-date=18 June 2023 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401205804/https://mygfsi.com/news_updates/one-standard-for-the-food-industry-ask-gfsi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Promoting ISO 22000 for food and farming would mean reducing the power of global retailers in terms of control over standards.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Soon |first1=Jan Mei |last2=Baines |first2=Richard N. |title=Public and Private Food Safety Standards: Facilitating or Frustrating Fresh Produce Growers? |journal=Laws |date=2013 |volume=2 |issue=Global Food Safety Law and Policy |pages=1–19 |doi=10.3390/laws2010001 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==GFSI conference==
GFSI hosts an annual conference in different regions, including Europe, North America, and Asia.<ref>{{cite web |title=GFSI Conference |url=https://mygfsi.com/events/gfsi-conference/ |website=mygfsi.com |publisher=Consumer Goods Forum |access-date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713131502/https://mygfsi.com/events/gfsi-conference/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!City
!Country
!Region
|-
|2001 
|Geneva
|Switzerland
|Europe
|-
|2002
|Geneva
|Switzerland
|Europe
|-
|2004
|Barcelona
|Spain
|Europe
|-
|2005
|Rome
|Italy
|Europe
|-
|2006
|Paris
|France
|Europe
|-
|2007
|Munich
|Germany
|Europe
|-
|2008
|Amsterdam
|The Netherlands 
|Europe
|-
|2009
|Barcelona
|Spain
|Europe
|-
|2010
|Washington D.C. 
|USA
|North America 
|-
|2011
|London
|UK
|Europe
|-
|2012
|Orlando
|USA
|North America
|-
|2013
|Barcelona
|Spain
|Europe
|-
|2014
|Anaheim
|USA
|North America
|-
|2015
|Kuala Lumpur
|Malaysia
|Asia
|-
|2016
|Berlin
|Germany
|Europe
|-
|2017
|Houston
|USA
|North America
|-
|2018
|Tokyo
|Japan
|Asia
|-
|2019
|Nice
|France
|Europe
|-
|2020
|Seattle<ref>{{cite web |title=GFSI Conference Executive Summary – Seattle 2020 |url=https://mygfsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GFSI-2020-Executive-Summary.pdf |website=mygfsi.com |publisher=Consumer Goods Forum |access-date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614212108/http://mygfsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GFSI-2020-Executive-Summary.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|USA
|North America
|-
|2022
|Barcelona
|Spain
|Europe
|-
|2023
|Atlanta
|USA
|North America
|-
|2024
|Singapore<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) 2024 Conference |url=https://mygfsi.com/news_updates/gfsi-conference-2024-roundup-day-3 |website=mygfsi.com |date=11 April 2024 |publisher=Global Food Safety Initiative |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190803/https://mygfsi.com/news_updates/gfsi-conference-2024-roundup-day-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Singapore
|Asia
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.fssc.com/ FSSC 22000]
* [http://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/ The Consumer Goods Forum]

[[Category:Farm assurance]]
[[Category:Food safety]]
[[Category:Medical and health organisations based in Belgium]]