qmssolutions ISO Quality Management Consulting
IFS Food 6
IFS FOOD 6 is a Food Safety and Quality standard. IFS Food is widely adopted on the continent as a means of demonstrating product safety and traceability from Farm to Fork. As Food safety continues to be a global concern, German and French food trade associations, with the assistance of other international retailers, have responded by developing IFS or the International Food Standard.
The International Food Standard is a subset of the International Featured Standard, which incorporates the entire Food Supply Chain that includes: Food processing and packing, Household and Personal Care Products, Cash & Carry/Wholesale handling, Logistics activities, and Brokers of food handling.
What is IFS Food?
It is a standard to apply when auditing companies that process food or companies that pack loose food products. IFS Food can only be used when a product is “processed or handled”, or when there is a hazard for product contamination during the primary packing.
Download QMS Food 6 Factsheet here
IFS Food concerns:
a) Processing and working and/or
b) Handling of loose products and/or
c) Activities undertaken during the primary packing.
Who does IFS Food apply to?
IFS Food is applicable to temperature-controlled processes (e.g. the transport of pighalves, etc.), but it does not apply to pre-packed / primary packaged goods;
o Handling of loose products, e.g. transport of loose bread in grid boxes;
o IFS Food is not applicable to companies that handle pre-packed products.
Supplier Audits
Supplier audits have been a permanent feature of retailer’s systems and procedures for many years. Until 2003 they were performed by the quality assurance departments of the individual retailers, wholesalers and food services. The ever-rising demands of consumers, the increasing liabilities of retailers, wholesalers and food services, the increasing of legal requirements and the globalisation of product supply, all made it essential to develop a uniform quality assurance and food safety Standard.
Also, a solution had to be found to reduce the time associated with a multitude of audits for involved stakeholders. The new IFS Food version 6 came into force on 1st July 2012.
Until 30.June, 2012, companies only performed IFS Food version 5 audits; after this date, only IFS Food version 6 audits shall be performed and will be accepted. Benefits of IFS Food Certification IFS Certification can offer a number of key benefits to companies striving for excellence in quality and customer satisfaction, and seeking a competitive advantage in their marketplace.
ORGANISATION BENEFITS
Purchasing Benefits:
- Improved confidence in suppliers and products
- Reduced time spent on supplier screening
- Less time spent reworking or returning product outside specification
- Due diligence defence
- Expert witness
- Ability to reduce individual inspection costs by combining a variety of different inspections at the same time
Purchasing Benefits:
- Improved understanding between management and staff relating to standards and procedures
- Monitoring of compliance with food regulations
- More effective use of resources
- Reduction in the need for customer inspections
- Due diligence defence
- Expert witness
- Ability to reduce total inspection time by combining a variety of different inspections at the same time
Marketing Benefits:
- Improved business reputation as a supplier of high-quality product
- Ability to trade with customers insisting on independent inspection
- Use of the IFS logo and certificate to demonstrate compliance with the highest standards.
Certification to IFS by an independent third-party, helps suppliers demonstrate to retailers that their product safety, quality and legal obligations, are fulfilled.
STEPS TO CERTIFICATION
- Following initial quotation, an assessor will review your company’s product, processes, procedures, facilities, work environment and resources.
- Conduct an Initial Review and prepare a current state assessment and gap analysis.
- Develop Draft Quality Policy, Objectives, Plans, Processes, Quality Programme, Procedures and Records as per IFS Food 6 to include applicable exceptions
- Review and approve the above documentation with the client, as per agreed project approach.
- Handover / implementation of your Quality Management System
- Provide in-house training where appropriate.
- After a period of 3 months QMS Solutions will review the establishment of the Quality System and seek registration where appropriate.
QMS Solutions Service to you
QMS Solutions will design, develop, draft and implement your complete quality system in consultation with you. We will also provide in-house training on all aspects of your new quality system, tailored to your specific training needs and business requirements.
