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By SANDA
Food Safety Certifications You Should Look For in a Supplier
If you import or distribute food, you have probably seen these acronyms on supplier documents. But what do they actually guarantee?
**HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)**
A preventive approach that identifies biological, chemical, and physical hazards at every stage of production and establishes controls to stop problems before they occur. HACCP is effectively the foundation — most other food safety systems build on it.
**ISO 22000**
An international standard that combines HACCP with the structure of ISO management systems. It covers the entire food chain — producers, transporters, retailers — and requires continuous risk assessment, documentation, and management review.
**GlobalG.A.P (Good Agricultural Practices)**
Focuses on the farm level. Covers soil management, water use, pesticide application, worker welfare, and traceability from seed to harvest. For frozen produce exporters, GlobalG.A.P on the supplying farms is a strong signal of raw material quality.
**FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification)**
Builds on ISO 22000 and adds the technical specifications from PAS 220. It is GFSI-recognized, meaning major global retailers accept it as equivalent to their own audits. If you plan to sell to supermarket chains, FSSC is often the minimum requirement.
**BRC / IFS**
Other GFSI-recognized standards widely used in Europe. BRC is common in the UK; IFS dominates in Germany and France.
When evaluating a supplier, ask for current certification PDFs, check the expiry dates, and confirm the scope covers the exact products and facilities you are buying from. At SANDA, we hold HACCP, ISO 22000, GlobalG.A.P, and FSSC certifications — and we are happy to share current copies with serious buyers on request.
**HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)**
A preventive approach that identifies biological, chemical, and physical hazards at every stage of production and establishes controls to stop problems before they occur. HACCP is effectively the foundation — most other food safety systems build on it.
**ISO 22000**
An international standard that combines HACCP with the structure of ISO management systems. It covers the entire food chain — producers, transporters, retailers — and requires continuous risk assessment, documentation, and management review.
**GlobalG.A.P (Good Agricultural Practices)**
Focuses on the farm level. Covers soil management, water use, pesticide application, worker welfare, and traceability from seed to harvest. For frozen produce exporters, GlobalG.A.P on the supplying farms is a strong signal of raw material quality.
**FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification)**
Builds on ISO 22000 and adds the technical specifications from PAS 220. It is GFSI-recognized, meaning major global retailers accept it as equivalent to their own audits. If you plan to sell to supermarket chains, FSSC is often the minimum requirement.
**BRC / IFS**
Other GFSI-recognized standards widely used in Europe. BRC is common in the UK; IFS dominates in Germany and France.
When evaluating a supplier, ask for current certification PDFs, check the expiry dates, and confirm the scope covers the exact products and facilities you are buying from. At SANDA, we hold HACCP, ISO 22000, GlobalG.A.P, and FSSC certifications — and we are happy to share current copies with serious buyers on request.
