The first results of a partnership between the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and certification body GlobalGAP have been announced, with the publication of Version 5 of GFSI's Guidance Document giving formal recognition to a proposed alignment of its own safety criteria with GlobalGAP food safety standards.
The news follows the decision last February of GFSI, managed by CIES – The Food Business Forum, and GlobalGAP to develop a joint approach to benchmarking for farm assurance scheme owners.
The partnership aims to provide a harmonised and streamlined framework for benchmarking services to farm assurance scheme owners specifically within the scope of food safety, with the end result creating greater recognition and confidence along the entire supply chain for all stakeholders from farm to fork.
“Today’s announcement is a major step forward in making recognition of food safety elements on farm much easier for retailers” said GlobalGAP chairman Nigel Garbutt. “Producers will also benefit from a harmonised set of Good Agricultural Practice food safety criteria applicable to agricultural production around the globe.”
