News Feature | January 7, 2015

BRC Publishes Seventh Issue Of Its Global Standards For Food Safety

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

BRC Global Standard For Food Safety

This standard for food safety, though originating in the UK, has become an accepted benchmark worldwide. Certification engenders consumer trust, as audits against its standards are conducted and published across the globe  

Each year, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), considered the lead trade association for the retail industry in the UK, publishes the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. Internationally recognized, this year is its seventh issue, its release announced on January 7, 2015. The Global Standards publication is widely utilized by market leaders, a measurement for good manufacturing practices (GMPs) in all things related to food safety. In November of last year, the BRC and SGS — touted as the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company — released an Introduction to Issue Seven.

The BRC has traveled across the pond on three prior occasions to host the BRC Food Safety Americas Conference; the next conference is scheduled for March, in Orlando, FL. Additionally, the first issue of Food Safety—A Global View was published last year, covering all 18 categories of food. The report maps the weaknesses and strengths of different countries and regions. The first issue analyzed data collected from more than 16,000 food audits in 113 countries in 2012. In 2013, the BRC organized a series of seminars, the intent to regain consumer confidence by engaging in a debate concerning major food safety issues. Great Expectations, Roundtable on building trust and transparency in the supply chain, was the result.

Issue Seven of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety has evolved from previous issues. Though there is still continued emphasis on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based programs, as well as management support and commitment, the focus of Issue Seven is:

  • Maintaining consistency within the audit process, while providing site-specific flexibility in order to reduce the audit burden
  • Reducing fraud by encouraging plants to develop and incorporate protective systems
  • Promoting ever greater traceability and transparency in the global food-supply chain
  • Encouraging BRC Standard adoption as a means by which small facilities can improve food safety while developing their own processes
  • Urging increased emphasis on those areas which most often result in recalls and withdrawals, such as mislabeling associated with allergen management

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, Issue Seven, is available on the BRC Participate website. The Interpretation Guideline and other supporting publications are also available here, as are printed copies and PDF downloads. The four minute video on the BRC Participate home page is well worth watching, providing valuable information about the organization. Audits incorporating Issue Seven’s standards will begin in July this year.