The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat announced that the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standards, version 6 GFS, published in 2022, have received official recognition from the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). This recognition highlights the organization's dedication to upholding high standards of food safety across the supply chain.
The GFSI has formally recognized version 6.0 GFS of the Integrated Farm Assurance standards for plants and aquaculture. This recognition ensures that responsible production processes certified according to the GLOBALG.A.P. standards adhere to globally acknowledged food safety and environmental sustainability standards.
The recognition ensures that responsible production processes certified according to the GLOBALG.A.P. standards adhere to globally acknowledged food safety and environmental sustainability standards.
Effective from 6 August 2024, these standards meet the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2020:
Integrated Farm Assurance Smart/GFS version 6.0 – Principles and criteria for aquaculture (finfish, crustaceans, molluscs and seaweed)
AII: Farming of fish and seafood
Integrated Farm Assurance GFS Plants version 6.0 – Principles and criteria for fruits and vegetables
BI: Farming of plants (other than grains and pulses)
BIII: Pre-process handling of plant products
For stakeholders currently certified under IFA v5.4-1-GFS, their certifications remain valid and GFSI-benchmarked for the duration of the certificate. Audits for IFA v5.4-1 may continue until 31 December 2024, with issued certificates remaining valid for their full lifecycle. Starting from 1 January 2025, all IFA audits for aquaculture and fruit and vegetables will be conducted against IFA v6 Smart or IFA v6 GFS, the latter being necessary for GFSI recognition. Audits to IFA v5.4-1 will no longer be possible after this date.
"We are excited about maintaining the recognition by GFSI and look forward to continuing to uphold the highest standards of food safety in collaboration with our stakeholders," said Dr. Elmé Coetzer-Boersma, managing director at GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS.
For more information:
Leonie Fischer
GLOBALG.A.P.
[email protected]
https://www.globalgap.org/