Food Certification – The Full Process
What if getting food certified didn't have to feel so complicated?
Our flagship service is exactly what it sounds like: complete, end-to-end support through every stage of food certification.
One team, one joined-up journey, no juggling multiple providers or wondering who to call next.
Working with one of our expert consultants, 'The Full Process' takes you through:
1. GAP Analysis — understanding where you are now, and what needs to change
2. Choosing Your Standard — working with the certification bodies to find the right certification for your business
3. Implementation Planning — a clear, practical roadmap built around your operation
4. Training — making sure your team knows what they need to know
5. System Development — building the documentation and processes that hold everything together
6. Internal Audit — a dry run, so there are no surprises on the day
7. Audit Support — we're with you right through to the finish line
Customise The Full Process
We understand that every business is different and our approach to food safety and certification reflects that. We can provide 'The Whole Process' or tailor it to fit how your business, taking into account your products, your team, your resources, and your goals.
That means no generic templates, no unnecessary complexity, and no one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we guide you step by step in a way that makes sense for you, building systems that feel natural to use, support your day-to-day work, and grow with your business over time.
What is included in The Full Process?
1. GAP-Analysis To Understand Where You Stand
Our consultants start out with a detailed GAP-analysis working closely with you to get under the skin of your current systems, and assessing them honestly against the full requirements of your chosen standard. We don't just hand you a report and leave you to figure it out. We walk you through exactly what we find, what's already working well, where the gaps are, and what needs to happen next. By the end, you'll have a clear, expert-led picture of where you stand and a solid foundation to build from.
2. Choosing The Right Standard
Choosing the right food safety standard is one of the most important decisions you'll make at the start of your certification journey — and it's also one of the easiest to get wrong without the right guidance.
With several standards to choose from, including FSSC 22000, BRCGS, and IFS Categories (IFS Logistics, IFS Broker, IFS HCP & IFS Foods), the right choice depends on your business model, your customers, and the markets you operate in. We work with you yo get it right from the start, so everything that follows becomes more straightforward, more efficient, and far less stressful.
That's where we come in. Our consultants take the time to understand your business properly before making any recommendations — so you can move forward with complete confidence that you're on the right path.3. Creating An Implementation Plan
With the GAP-analysis complete and standard chosen, we get to work building your implementation plan and we build it together. This isn't a generic checklist. It's a structured, tailored roadmap designed around your business, your team, and your timeline. We map out every action that needs to take place, assign clear responsibilities, and set realistic milestones so that progress feels manageable and nothing gets missed. You'll always know exactly what's happening, what's coming next, and why.
4. Training To Empower You And Your Team
We believe that systems are only as strong as the people behind them. That's why training is a core part of the process. Our team of consultants deliver engaging, hands-on training tailored to your specific systems and the gaps we've identified along the way. Your team will come away understanding not just what they need to do, but why it matters and how it connects to the bigger picture, including HACCP, VACCP and TACCP.
4. System Development: Building Systems That Work in Practice
This is where we roll up our sleeves and get to work building your food safety and quality management systems from the ground up, or strengthening what's already there. Our consultants work directly alongside your team to develop the documentation, procedures, and operational controls your chosen standard requires. Every system we build is designed to work in your real-life operation — not just to satisfy an auditor on the day. Practical, clear, and owned by your team, these are systems built to last long after our work together is done.
6. Internal Audit: Verify and Strengthen Your Systems
Before your certification audit, we carry out a thorough internal audit — stepping into the role of the auditor so you know exactly what to expect. Fully aligned to the requirements of your chosen standard, this is your opportunity to stress-test everything you've built in a safe, supportive environment. If there are any remaining gaps, we find them now and help you address them — so that by the time your external auditor arrives, there are no surprises. Just confidence.
7. Audit Support: Step into Your Certification Audit with Confidence
When your certification audit day arrives, you won't be facing it alone. Our consultants are with you every step of the way, from final pre-audit preparations and last-minute checks, right through to on-site support on the day itself. We make sure you're organised, prepared, and walking into the audit knowing you've done everything right. By this point, the hard work is done and we'll be right there to make sure it shows.
You've seen the full process. Now let's make it yours.
Contact Cecilia and the team at The Food Certification Group and take the first step towards a smoother, more confident certification journey.
