Food Quality Magazine October 2015 | Page 30

Food Quality Magazine ISSUE 04 | OCTOBER 2015 IFS – A Truly Global Food Safety and Quality Standard BROKER CASH & CARRY FOOD PACsecure LOGISTICS HPC W ith about 15000 certificates, more than 20 languages and 1050 auditors the IFS is one of the largest food safety and quality standards worldwide. Nine out of ten of the largest European food retailers have chosen IFS as their main food-safety and quality standard and are part of the IFS Working Groups. Also Wal-Mart and other retailers worldwide use IFS. This illustrates the strong global acceptance of IFS. Motivated by increasingly stringent consumer expectations, globalized commodity flows and elevated risks of damage claims the International Featured Standards provide retailers and manufacturers with an internationally uniform system of coherent quality assurance, incorporating regulated audit procedures. www.ifs-certification.com 30 By applying IFS manufacturers do not only ensure the production of high-quality and safe goods they also improve existing internal processes leading to general savings, improved customer relations and higher competitiveness. According to a comprehensive study by the University of Rostock IFS certified companies even register a reduction of food recalls by 17%. All IFS users are granted ideal support by the seven IFS offices (Germany, France, Italy, USA, Brazil, Poland and China) the IFS Audit Portal, the IFS software auditXpress® as well as by training and information courses organized by the IFS Academy. A well-structured organization ensures the cooperation with international experts in order to continuously improve the standards and adapt optimally to changing conditions.