This newsletter informs you about relevant developments and technical updates regarding the IFS Food Standard and Progress Food Program.

An updated version of the IFS Food 8 Doctrine is now released

The benchmarking process of GFSI is ongoing. We had to update the IFS Food 8 doctrine again to close two findings that GFSI reopened in the process. Today, we published version 3 of the doctrine in which we further specify the following requirements:

• Part 2, 4.4.1. on specific procedures for the procurement of animals, fish, and seafood subject to the control of prohibited substances.
• Part 2, 4.18.11 on the traceability of all edible parts of the carcass, including blood, before they are deemed fit for human consumption in the case of animal slaughterhouses.

The doctrine is a normative document complementing the standard. Accordingly, you must be aware of and follow its clarifications.

>> Download the IFS Food 8 Doctrine version 3

IFS Global Markets Food is now IFS Progress Food

IFS Progress Food is now the new name for our supplier development program. The previous name, IFS Global Markets Food, will be phased out on 14 May 2024. Starting on 15 May 2024, using the new brand name will become mandatory for everyone.

The new brand name emphasises the active approach and aim of the program while its content remains the same. The program has new logos, and we are gradually replacing the name in all current IFS documents, the website, our tools, etc. All IFS Stakeholders received newsletters informing about the rebranding on 28 March 2024.

• For more information, visit our website to read the news article.
• You can find answers to the most frequently asked questions in our fact sheet.

Check it: Report essential changes to the production site to your CB

Unannounced audits: the key to improved results and showing commitment to food safety

In 2021, a new requirement was introduced in the IFS Food Standard that at least once every three audits must be conducted without prior notice. This led to a significant increase in unannounced audits in 2023, with over 70% of the IFS Food audits performed without prior notice. The 2023 audit results show that companies are well prepared for audits. 76% of the unannounced audited companies achieved a higher-level result compared to 66% of announced audits.

We encourage companies to perform more unannounced audits than the required minimum. For IFS Food 8, we introduced the IFS Star Status for companies that undergo an unannounced audit. This star is visible on the IFS Certificate, audit report, and in the IFS Database, highlighting the exceptional commitment of the audited company to the quality and safety of its products.

Learn how to perform internal assessments for IFS Progress Food 3

We passed the ISO 27001 surveillance audit!

We are proud to announce that the ISO 27001 certification for our information management system has been reconfirmed following a surveillance audit. In the IFS Database, we store data from certified sites, certification bodies, auditors, consultants and other stakeholders. 

At IFS, we realise that with this comes great responsibility. Accordingly, we are doing our utmost to ensure that the data is as safe as possible by continuously improving our Information Security Management System (ISMS). Every year, our system gets audited by KPMG Cert GmbH, a subsidiary of KPMG Deutschland

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Recent publications

• IFS PACsecure version 3 standard
  There is a new version of the  standard for auditing product and process compliance in relation to packaging material safety and quality.
   
• IFS Broker version 3.2 standard
  The standard for auditing trade agencies’, importers’, and brokers’ service compliance in relation to product quality and safety is updated.
   
• IFS Global Markets Food in Turkish
  The translation of the development program is available with the old brand name. We are currently updating it to IFS Progress.
   
• The updated IFS Scoring System brochure
  The brochure explains the updated IFS Scoring System for IFS Food 8, IFS Logistics 3, IFS Broker 3.2, IFS HPC 3 and IFS PACsecure 3.

Follow IFS on LinkedIn to see announcements of publications, translated documents and other relevant updates.  

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