Food Safety Standards: How to Choose The Right Standard

Discover how to choose the right Food Safety Standard for your business. Learn key differences, benefits, and expert guidance for compliance in Europe

Choosing the right Food Safety Standard is important to get right from the start. Whether you’re a food manufacturer, retailer, or service provider, selecting the appropriate standard is a critical step in protecting consumers, meeting legal requirements, and building trust in your brand.

In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials in a clear and approachable way—so you can confidently decide which Food Safety Standard is right for your business.

What Is a Food Safety Standard?

A Food Safety Standard is a recognised framework that outlines the requirements a business must meet to ensure food is safe for consumption. These standards cover everything from hygiene practices and hazard control to traceability and staff training.

They are designed to:

Protect public health
Ensure consistency in food production
Support legal compliance
Enhance customer confidence

In Europe, food safety is governed by strict regulations, but certification to a recognised Food Safety Standard goes a step further. It demonstrates that your business is committed to best practice—not just minimum compliance.

Why Food Safety Standards Matter

Food safety isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about safeguarding your reputation and your customers.

Here’s why implementing a Food Safety Standard is essential:

Consumer Trust: Customers expect safe, high-quality food
Legal Compliance: Helps meet EU and UK regulatory requirements
Market Access: Many retailers require certification
Risk Reduction: Minimises the chance of contamination or recalls
Operational Efficiency: Improves processes and consistency

Without a recognised Food Safety Standard, businesses may struggle to compete in today’s highly regulated food industry.

Common Food Safety Standards in Europe

Understanding the main options available will help you narrow down your choice.

BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards)

Widely used by UK retailers, BRCGS is one of the most recognised standards in Europe.

Focus: Food safety, quality, and legality
Ideal for: Food manufacturers supplying retailers
Strength: Strong retailer acceptance

IFS (International Featured Standards)

Popular across Europe, particularly in Germany and France.

Focus: Product and process compliance
Ideal for: Businesses exporting within Europe
Strength: Detailed audit approach

FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification)

Based on ISO standards, FSSC 22000 is globally recognised.

Focus: Food safety management systems
Ideal for: Larger organisations and global supply chains
Strength: Strong international credibility

ISO 22000

An internationally recognised management system standard.

Focus: Risk-based food safety management
Ideal for: Businesses wanting flexibility
Strength: Integration with other ISO systems

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Food Safety Standard

Selecting the right Food Safety Standard isn’t about choosing the most popular—it’s about choosing what fits your business.

1. Your Customer Requirements

Many retailers and buyers specify which Food Safety Standard they require.

Ask yourself:

Are you supplying supermarkets?
Do your clients demand a specific certification?

If the answer is yes, your choice may already be made for you.

2. Size and Complexity of Your Business

Not all standards suit every business.

Small businesses may benefit from SALSA
Larger operations may require BRCGS or FSSC 22000

Choosing a Food Safety Standard that aligns with your resources is key to long-term success.

3. Market Access Goals

Where do you want to sell your products?

UK retailers → BRCGS
European markets → IFS
Global markets → FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000

Your chosen Food Safety Standard should support your growth strategy.

4. Level of Risk in Your Operations

Higher-risk products require stricter controls.

Consider:

Ready-to-eat foods
High-risk processing environments

In these cases, a robust Food Safety Standard is essential.

5. Integration with Existing Systems

If you already use ISO standards (like ISO 9001), choosing ISO 22000 may make integration easier.

This can:

Reduce duplication
Streamline audits
Improve efficiency

Steps to Implement a Food Safety Standard

Once you’ve chosen the right Food Safety Standard, the next step is implementation.

Step 1: Conduct a GAP-Analysis

Identify what you already have in place and what needs improvement.

Step 2: Develop Your Food Safety System

This includes:

HACCP plans
Policies and procedures
Documentation

Step 3: Training For You And Your Team

Your staff play a vital role in maintaining compliance.

Ensure they understand:

Hygiene practices
Food safety risks
Their responsibilities

Step 4: Internal Audits

Regular checks help you stay on track and identify issues early.

Step 5: Certification Audit

An accredited certification body will assess your compliance with the chosen Food Safety Standard.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When selecting and implementing a Food Safety Standard, businesses often fall into similar traps.

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Choosing a standard without understanding requirements
Underestimating resource and time commitments
Failing to engage staff
Treating certification as a one-off task

Food safety is an ongoing commitment—not a one-time achievement.

How Expert Support Can Help

Working with a consultancy can simplify the process significantly.

At Food Certification Group our consultants can provide tailored guidance to help businesses implement the right Food Safety Standard efficiently and confidently.

We can support and help you to:

Choose the right certification
Prepare for audits
Reduce stress and uncertainty
Achieve compliance faster

FAQs About Food Safety Standards

1. Is BRCGS better than IFS?

Neither is “better”—it depends on your market. BRCGS is preferred in the UK, while IFS is more common in Europe.

2. How long does certification take?

How long is a piece of string? Certification time depends on many contributing factors, including your current level of compliance.

3. Do I legally need a Food Safety Standard?

Certification isn’t always legally required, but food safety compliance is. Certification helps demonstrate this.

5. How much does certification cost?

Costs vary based on business size, chosen standard, and consultancy support.

6. Can I switch standards later?

Yes, businesses can transition to a different Food Safety Standard as they grow or change markets.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Food Safety Standard is a strategic decision that can shape the future of your business. It’s not just about complianc, it’s about building trust, improving processes, and opening doors to new opportunities.

By understanding your business needs, market goals, and operational risks, you can select a Food Safety Standard that supports sustainable growth.

If you’re unsure where to start, get in touch!