What the Latest Global Food Safety Changes Mean for Suppliers and Retailers
Introduction
Global food safety standards are under constant pressure to evolve. Rising food fraud incidents, increasing allergen risks, complex global supply chains, and stricter retailer expectations have pushed certification schemes to raise the bar.
In August 2024, BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 officially achieved GFSI benchmarking approval, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s most trusted and retailer-accepted food safety standards. This milestone confirms that Issue 9 meets the Global Food Safety Initiative’s stringent benchmarking requirements and continues to support the “race to the top” philosophy adopted by leading global buyers.
For food manufacturers, brand owners, and exporters supplying to major retailers, BRCGS Issue 9 is not just a version update. It represents a clear shift toward stronger risk management, deeper product integrity controls, and enhanced supplier accountability.
This article explains what’s new in Issue 9, why GFSI recognition matters, and how organizations should prepare.
What Is GFSI and Why Does Benchmarking Matter?
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a collaboration of the world’s leading retailers, manufacturers, and food service companies. Its role is to benchmark food safety certification schemes against a common set of internationally accepted requirements.
When a standard is GFSI-benchmarked, it means:
- It meets globally recognized food safety requirements
- It is accepted by major retailers and brand owners
- It supports mutual recognition and audit reduction
- It aligns with continuous improvement and risk-based thinking
GFSI benchmarking allows buyers to trust certified suppliers without duplicating audits, making it critical for global trade.
Source
https://mygfsi.com/recognition/benchmarking/
BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9
A Brief Overview
BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 was published to address emerging food safety risks and modern supply chain realities. It builds on previous versions while strengthening expectations around:
- Food safety culture
- Product integrity
- Allergen management
- Food fraud prevention
- Supplier assurance
- Risk-based controls
With GFSI benchmarking approval confirmed in August 2024, Issue 9 is now fully recognized within the global food safety ecosystem.
Source
https://mygfsi.com/news_events/brcgs-food-safety-issue-9-achieves-gfsi-benchmarking/
What’s New in BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9
Issue 9 introduces several important enhancements that directly affect certification audits and day-to-day operations.
1. Stronger Focus on Food Safety Culture
BRCGS Issue 9 reinforces the requirement for organizations to demonstrate food safety culture, not just document it.
Auditors now assess:
- Leadership commitment
- Employee awareness and behavior
- Communication effectiveness
- Continuous improvement initiatives
- Management involvement in food safety decisions
Food safety culture is no longer a soft expectation. It is a measurable audit element.
2. Advanced Allergen Management Controls
Allergen risks remain one of the most common causes of recalls. Issue 9 strengthens allergen control expectations by requiring:
- Detailed allergen risk assessments
- Robust segregation and zoning
- Enhanced cleaning validation
- Improved label verification controls
- Stronger change management for allergen introductions
Organizations must now show systematic allergen risk prevention, not just reactive controls.
3. Enhanced Food Fraud and Product Integrity Measures
Issue 9 significantly strengthens food fraud prevention by requiring:
- More detailed vulnerability assessments
- Regular review of fraud risks
- Stronger supplier verification
- Monitoring of high-risk ingredients
- Clear mitigation strategies
This reflects growing global concern around adulteration, substitution, and economically motivated fraud.
4. Expanded Supplier Assurance Requirements
Supplier management expectations have been tightened, especially for high-risk raw materials and outsourced processes.
Issue 9 emphasizes:
- Risk-based supplier approval
- Clear supplier performance monitoring
- Use of recognized certifications
- Verification of supplier claims
- Strong traceability systems
This aligns closely with retailer expectations for transparent, accountable supply chains.
5. Improved Traceability and Recall Readiness
Traceability remains a core requirement, but Issue 9 reinforces:
- Faster traceability exercises
- Clearer mass balance testing
- Improved recall simulation effectiveness
- Documentation accuracy under stress conditions
This prepares organizations for regulatory scrutiny and real-world recall scenarios.
6. Modular and Flexible Certification Structure
BRCGS Issue 9 continues to support additional modules, such as:
- Gluten-Free
- Plant-Based
- Ethical Trade
- Food Safety Culture Excellence
These modules allow organizations to demonstrate leadership beyond baseline compliance.
Why GFSI Recognition of Issue 9 Matters
GFSI benchmarking approval confirms that BRCGS Issue 9:
- Meets the highest international food safety requirements
- Aligns with global retailer expectations
- Supports audit harmonization
- Enables supplier acceptance across markets
For suppliers, this means one trusted certification can unlock multiple buyer approvals.
For buyers, it means confidence that certified suppliers meet robust, independently validated requirements.
Impact on Suppliers Selling to Major Retailers
Retailers increasingly require suppliers to hold GFSI-benchmarked certification as a minimum entry requirement.
With Issue 9 now benchmarked:
- Existing BRCGS suppliers must transition smoothly
- New applicants must meet higher expectations
- Audit depth and consistency will increase
- Documentation alone will no longer be sufficient
Suppliers that treat Issue 9 as a strategic upgrade rather than a compliance exercise will perform better during audits.
How Organizations Should Prepare
Step 1
Conduct a gap assessment against Issue 9 requirements.
Step 2
Strengthen food safety culture programs with leadership involvement.
Step 3
Upgrade allergen risk assessments and validation activities.
Step 4
Review and enhance food fraud vulnerability assessments.
Step 5
Reassess supplier approval and monitoring systems.
Step 6
Perform mock audits focused on Issue 9 expectations.
Early preparation reduces audit risk and strengthens long-term compliance.
Strategic Advantage of Early Adoption
Organizations that proactively align with Issue 9 benefit from:
- Higher audit scores
- Stronger buyer confidence
- Reduced corrective actions
- Improved internal discipline
- Enhanced brand credibility
BRCGS Issue 9 is not just about passing audits. It is about building resilient, transparent, and trusted food safety systems.
Conclusion
The GFSI benchmarking approval of BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 marks a critical milestone in global food safety. It confirms that the standard continues to meet the evolving expectations of retailers, regulators, and consumers worldwide.
With enhanced requirements around food safety culture, allergen management, food fraud prevention, and supplier assurance, Issue 9 raises the bar for certified organizations. Suppliers that adapt early and strategically will be best positioned to meet buyer expectations and succeed in global markets.
Emaza Services Pvt. Ltd. supports food businesses with BRCGS Issue 9 gap assessments, implementation support, internal audits, training, and certification readiness, helping organizations move confidently through the transition.
