IFS Food: qué es, requisitos y cómo certificarse

IFS Food: qué es, requisitos y cómo certificarse

The IFS Food certification has become one of the standards most demanding and recognized benchmark standards in the European food industry. If you're a quality manager at a company that manufactures or handles food, you've probably already heard of it, or may even be in the process of obtaining it. This guide explains clearly and practically everything you need to know: what it is, who it applies to, what its requirements are and how to prepare successfully to pass the audit.

What IFS Food certification is and who it applies to

IFS Food (International Featured Standards Food) is a food safety standard originally developed by German and French retailers with the goal of auditing their private-label suppliers under a single, unified standard. Today, it's recognized worldwide and is especially relevant for companies supplying major European retail chains.

This certification applies to any company in the food industry that processes food or where there is a risk of product contamination during handling. This includes manufacturers, packers, distributors with processing activity and industrial catering companies, among others. If your company works with top-tier European retailers, they will most likely require you to hold this certification as a condition for access to their supply chain.

Since its launch, IFS Food (IFS, n.d.) has evolved to version 8, published in 2023, which incorporates a more robust approach to sustainability, allergen management and food safety culture. Knowing the current version well is the first step for any quality manager looking to approach the process with confidence.

Requirements and structure of the IFS Food standard

The IFS Food standard is structured into six main chapters covering every critical aspect of quality and food safety management in an organization:

1. Management responsibility. Senior management must demonstrate a genuine commitment to food safety, set a clear policy and ensure the resources needed for the management system.

2. Food safety and quality management system. It includes the implementation of a documented, functioning HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system, as well as the prerequisite (PRP) programs. This section is one of the most heavily assessed during the audit.

3. Resource management. This refers to staff qualifications and training, personal hygiene, facilities and equipment. The company must demonstrate that its people are prepared to guarantee food safety.

4. Operational processes. This is the longest chapter and includes, among other things, the management of raw materials and suppliers, product development, production planning, the traceability, packaging and allergen management. This is where most of the day-to-day requirements are concentrated.

5. Measurement, analysis and improvement. This covers internal audits, product analysis, complaint management, alert and withdrawal systems, and continuous improvement.

6. Planning and management of food defense and authenticity. This chapter, reinforced in the most recent version, requires companies to assess and mitigate the risks of intentional adulteration and food fraud.

IFS's scoring system assesses each requirement on a compliance scale (A, B, C, D) and sets “knock-out” (KO) categories for requirements whose non-compliance results in immediate denial of certification. Knowing these KOs is essential for prioritizing efforts during preparation.

How to prepare for the IFS Food audit

Passing an IFS audit with a high score requires planning, documentation management and, above all, real evidence that the system is working. These are the key steps to prepare successfully:

Run a preliminary internal audit. Antes de la auditoría oficial, es imprescindible evaluar el nivel de cumplimiento de cada requisito con la misma rigurosidad que aplicaría un auditor externo. Las desviaciones detectadas deben gestionarse con acciones correctoras documentadas. Si quieres profundizar en cómo estructurar este proceso, puedes consultar nuestra guía sobre auditoría ISO 9001, muchos de cuyos principios son aplicables aquí.

Organize your documentation. The IFS standard requires that all procedures, records and evidence be up to date, accessible and reflect the company's actual practice. An outdated or inconsistent document system is one of the main reasons for losing points.

Train and raise awareness among your team. The auditor doesn't just review documents; they also interview plant staff and observe practices on site. Food safety culture, one of the aspects reinforced in version 8, is assessed precisely through these interactions.

Properly manage allergens and traceability. These two areas tend to generate the most frequent non-conformities. Make sure procedures are in place, known by staff and systematically recorded.

Choose accredited certification bodies. Only certification bodies recognized by IFS can issue the official certificate. Check the official registry on the website of IFS Certification (IFS, n.d.) to select a body suited to your sector and company size.

If you'd like to learn more about the different standards of food quality certification y cómo se relacionan entre sí, te recomendamos visitar nuestra sección sobre normas y estándares de calidad.

How Solved gathers evidence and records for IFS

One of the biggest challenges quality managers face when preparing for an IFS audit isn't so much knowing what needs to be done, but demonstrating in an organized, traceable way that it's being done. This is where quality software like Solved makes the difference.

With Solved, all control records —from HACCP verification checks to product analysis, incidents, non-conformities and training records— are centralized on a single digital platform. This removes the reliance on scattered spreadsheets, physical folders or emails, and ensures information is available in real time to any authorized team member.

During an IFS audit, the auditor will request evidence for multiple requirements simultaneously and within a short timeframe. Solved lets you filter and export records by date, process or check type in seconds, which drastically cuts response time and conveys an image of organization and control that has a positive impact on the final assessment.

In addition, Solved's non-conformity and corrective action management module makes it easier to demonstrate the continuous improvement cycle IFS requires, ensuring every deviation is documented, assigned to an owner and resolved within the established due dates.

In short, preparing for and maintaining IFS Food certification is an ongoing process that requires operational discipline and the right tools. With a combination of solid internal planning and support from a digital solution like Solved, turning the audit into an opportunity for improvement —rather than a source of stress— is completely within your team's reach.

References

• International Featured Standards. (n.d.). IFS Certification. https://www.ifs-certification.com/