BRC food standards

The safety of food products is one of the top priorities for consumers and governments worldwide. The food supply chain must therefore ensure that products comply with regulations by testing and certifying them appropriately, while also dealing with commercial pressures to control costs and reduce time to market.

Consequently, increasing numbers of retailers and food service providers are mandating that their suppliers are certified against a scheme approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

Originally developed and published in 1998, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards specify safety, quality and operational criteria for food producers and suppliers. Used worldwide, the standards are recognised by the GFSI, which aims to reduce the need for multiple supplier audits by harmonising international food safety standards.

Many of the world’s largest retail groups, manufacturers and food service organisations accept BRC standards. This makes it an international mark of excellence for the certificate holder.