IFS Food is the standard required by France, Germany and continental European retailers. We get manufacturers certified, scored well, and ready for Higher Level.
IFS Food is a Global Food Safety Initiative benchmarked certification standard for food manufacturers and processors, developed by IFS (International Featured Standards) with input from European retailers, primarily based in France and Germany.
IFS Food assesses food safety and product quality across the full manufacturing process, excluding primary production of agricultural products. It covers governance and commitment, the food safety and quality management system, resource management, production process, and measurements, analysis and improvements.
The current version is IFS Food Version 8, which achieved GFSI recognition against GFSI Benchmarking Requirements 2020 in September 2024. Version 8 restructured the standard from 6 chapters to 5, reduced the requirement count slightly to 234, and aligned more closely with Codex Alimentarius and ISO 22003-2. It also introduced changes to food safety culture requirements and the scoring system.
While IFS Food originated with French and German retailers, it is accepted globally as a GFSI-recognised scheme. Many manufacturers supplying both UK and continental European retailers hold both IFS Food and BRCGS certification, sharing significant documentation and system work between the two.
Every one of the 234 requirements in IFS Food Version 8 is scored from A to D, or as a KO. The overall result determines whether a site achieves Foundation Level, Higher Level, or fails certification.
| Score | Meaning | Points | What it means for certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Full compliance with the requirement. | 20 points | No action required. Maximises overall score towards Higher Level. |
| B | Almost full compliance, formally classified as a deviation in Version 8. | 15 points | Each B reduces the overall score. Too many B-scored deviations prevent Higher Level and can affect Foundation Level if widespread. |
| C | Partial compliance with significant gaps. | 5 points | Significant impact on overall score. Multiple C scores put certification at risk. |
| D | Non-compliance with the requirement. | 0 points | Severe impact on overall score. A D on a KO requirement results in certification failure. |
| KO | Knock-out requirement. In Version 8, KO requirements can only be scored A, B or D, not C. | N/A | A D score on any KO requirement results in non-certification regardless of the overall score on other requirements. |
Our mock audit scores your site against all 234 requirements using the same A to D and KO criteria as the certification body, giving you a predicted overall percentage and a clear view of which requirements need attention before the live audit.
Version 8 restructured the standard into 5 chapters, down from 6 in Version 7, to better follow the logical flow of an audit.
Senior management direction, food safety culture across all four required dimensions, and the corporate policy framework for food safety and quality.
Documentation control, HACCP-based food safety planning, internal audits, supplier approval, traceability, recall procedures and management review.
Personnel hygiene, training and competency, protective clothing, medical screening and the human resources foundation for food safety.
Site standards, equipment, process control, contamination prevention, pest management, cleaning and maintenance, and the physical operating environment.
Internal audits, product testing, complaint handling, non-conformance management, corrective actions and continuous improvement processes.
IFS Food is most strongly required by retailers in France, Germany and continental Europe, but is accepted globally as a GFSI scheme.
Businesses supplying Carrefour, Auchan, Edeka, Rewe, Migros and other major continental European retail groups are commonly required to hold IFS Food certification as a condition of supply.
Businesses supplying both UK and continental European retailers often hold dual certification. We help structure the work so that documentation and system development serve both standards efficiently.
Version 8 allows EU Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication designations to appear on IFS certificates. Manufacturers of regional specialty products benefit from this added recognition.
Own-label manufacturers where the retailer specifies IFS Food as part of their technical approval and supplier qualification process.
Businesses entering or expanding in continental European markets where IFS Food is the standard most commonly recognised by local buyers and import authorities.
Sites already certified at Foundation Level seeking Higher Level status as a commercial differentiator and a marker of food safety and quality system maturity.
We cover the full scope of IFS Food consulting, from initial certification through to Higher Level and ongoing compliance.
A requirement-by-requirement review of your food safety and quality management system against all 234 requirements of IFS Food Version 8 across its 5 chapters. Each requirement is scored using A to D and KO criteria to produce a predicted result.
Full design and documentation of your management system to IFS Food Version 8 requirements, covering food safety culture objectives, HACCP, supplier approval, traceability, recall procedures and all supporting documentation.
A full mock audit scored against all 234 requirements using the same A to D and KO criteria as the certification body. Produces a predicted overall percentage and a written findings report identifying every requirement needing attention.
Targeted consulting for sites pursuing Higher Level certification, focused on closing B-scored deviations, strengthening food safety culture evidence across all four dimensions, and addressing advanced process control requirements.
Specific review of all KO requirements, since a D score on any KO results in non-certification regardless of the overall percentage. We prioritise these requirements in every gap assessment and mock audit.
Design and delivery of a scheduled internal audit programme covering all 5 chapters of IFS Food Version 8, with specific attention to KO requirements and food safety culture evidence.
For manufacturers holding or pursuing both IFS Food and BRCGS, we identify the shared requirements and the standard-specific additions, structuring the consulting programme to avoid duplicated work.
Development of measurable objectives across all four dimensions of food safety culture required by Version 8: communication, training, feedback and behaviours, and measurement of culture performance.
A monthly retainer covering document maintenance, regulatory update alerts, internal audit scheduling, and helpline access. Keeps your system current and your score stable through the annual audit cycle.
Our IFS Food training courses build internal competency alongside the consulting programme. We also offer food safety culture training, internal auditor training and HACCP training aligned to IFS Food Version 8 requirements.
IFS Food certification follows a defined sequence. Our part of the process typically takes a few weeks. The certification body audit timeline depends on their scheduling and is outside our control.
| Stage | What happens | Our role | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Gap assessment | Your management system is reviewed against all 234 requirements of IFS Food Version 8 across 5 chapters. Each requirement is scored A to D or KO. | We conduct the assessment and deliver a written action plan with a predicted result. | 2 to 3 days |
| 2. System design | The food safety and quality management system is designed and documented, covering HACCP, food safety culture objectives, supplier approval and traceability. | We write all documentation in collaboration with your team. | 1 to 2 weeks |
| 3. Food safety culture objectives | Measurable objectives are established across all four dimensions of food safety culture required by Version 8. | We develop the culture plan, objectives and measurement framework. | 3 to 5 days |
| 4. Implementation | The documented system is put into practice. Records are generated. The system runs for a minimum evidence period before audit. | We provide ongoing implementation support and review emerging records. | 2 to 4 weeks |
| 5. Internal audit | A full internal audit covers all 5 chapters and all KO requirements. Non-conformances are recorded and closed. | We conduct the internal audit and close all findings. | 2 to 3 days |
| 6. Mock certification audit | A full mock audit scores all 234 requirements using A to D and KO criteria, producing a predicted overall percentage. | We conduct the graded mock audit and close all identified gaps before the live audit. | 2 to 3 days |
| 7. Certification audit | The certification body conducts the on-site audit. The overall score determines Foundation Level, Higher Level, or non-certification. | We provide standby support and draft corrective action responses for any findings. | Up to the certification body |
| 8. Ongoing surveillance | Annual re-audits, announced or unannounced. Score is re-assessed at each audit. | We provide a retainer covering document maintenance, pre-audit preparation and helpline access. | Ongoing |
Our gap assessment scores your current system against all 234 requirements of IFS Food Version 8, giving you a predicted result before a single document is rewritten.
The gap assessment covers all 5 chapters of IFS Food Version 8: governance and commitment, the food safety and quality management system, resource management, production process, and measurements, analysis and improvements. Every requirement is assessed against the A to D and KO scoring criteria used by certification bodies.
Particular attention is paid to KO requirements. A D score on any KO requirement results in non-certification regardless of how well the site scores elsewhere, so identifying and closing KO gaps is always the first priority in the action plan.
We review your existing food safety and quality documentation against all 234 requirements across the 5 chapters.
Every KO requirement is assessed first, since a single D score here results in certification failure regardless of overall performance.
We assess the physical environment and production processes against documented procedures, scoring each requirement using the A to D criteria.
We produce a written report with a predicted overall percentage, indicating whether Foundation Level or Higher Level is achievable, and a prioritised action plan.
For sites already certified and targeting Higher Level, we offer a focused gap assessment that reviews only the requirement areas currently scored B and the food safety culture dimensions driving the overall percentage down.
The same scoring patterns appear across IFS Food audits regardless of sector. Knowing where D and KO scores cluster is the most effective preparation.
The KO requirements covering HACCP plan validity, traceability system testing and recall procedure effectiveness are the highest-risk areas in any IFS Food audit. A D score on any of these results in non-certification regardless of the overall percentage. Our gap assessment and mock audit prioritise these requirements first.
Version 8 requires objectives across communication, training, feedback and behaviours, and measurement. Sites that have a culture statement but cannot evidence measurable objectives and tracked progress in all four dimensions consistently score B or lower in chapter 1.
Incomplete or outdated product specifications, particularly for products carrying PDO or PGI designations newly recognised under Version 8, are a frequent source of B and C scores in the food safety and quality management system chapter.
Internal audit programmes still structured around the previous 6-chapter Version 7 layout, or that do not specifically target KO requirements, leave gaps that surface during the certification audit. The internal audit programme must be realigned to the Version 8 structure.
Sites transitioning from Version 7 often retain documentation structured around the old 6-chapter layout. While the underlying content may be largely compliant, the mapping to the new 5-chapter, 234-requirement structure must be explicit for auditors to assess efficiently.
Chapter 5, measurements, analysis and improvements, frequently generates B and C scores where calibration records for safety-critical measuring equipment are incomplete or overdue, directly affecting confidence in process control data.
The three most widely required GFSI-benchmarked schemes for food manufacturers. The right choice, or combination, depends on your customers and target markets.
| IFS Food Version 8 | BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 | FSSC 22000 Version 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFSI recognised | Yes (since Sept 2024) | Yes | Yes |
| Published by | IFS Management GmbH | BRCGS | Foundation FSSC |
| Scoring or grading | A, B, C, D, KO. Foundation or Higher Level | AA, A, B, C, D, Uncertified | Certified or not certified, no grading |
| Strongest markets | France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland | UK, Commonwealth, North America, global | Accepted by all major global retailers |
| Best for | Manufacturers supplying continental European retailers | Manufacturers where grade visibility matters commercially | Manufacturers needing GFSI recognition without grading pressure |
| Our consulting | IFS Food | BRCGS Food Safety | FSSC 22000 |
What drives the timeline and cost of an IFS Food project. We provide a written proposal with a fixed fee after the initial consultation.
Timeline
How long our consulting work takes
Cost factors
What drives the consulting fee
No existing certification or formal management system. Our consulting work typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Certification body scheduling is separate and outside our control.
The closer your existing systems are to IFS Food Version 8 requirements, the less consulting time is required. The gap assessment establishes this precisely.
Significant documentation and system work can be shared. Our consulting work to add IFS Food typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, focused on the standard-specific additions.
Single-site businesses with one product category require less work than multi-site manufacturers with complex processes and large product portfolios.
Already certified at Foundation Level and targeting Higher Level. Our Higher Level programme typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, focused on closing B-scored deviations and food safety culture evidence.
A gap assessment only, a full implementation programme, or a Higher Level upgrade package each carry different fees. All scopes are defined in writing before work begins.
Sites still operating under Version 7 documentation need realignment to the new 5-chapter, 234-requirement structure. Our consulting work for this transition typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Certification body audit fees are separate from our consulting fees and paid directly to your chosen IFS-approved certification body. We advise on CB selection during the initial consultation.
Answers to the questions we hear most often from businesses preparing for IFS Food certification or Higher Level.
IFS Food is a Global Food Safety Initiative benchmarked certification standard for food manufacturers, developed by IFS (International Featured Standards) with input from European retailers, primarily in France and Germany. It assesses food safety and product quality across the full manufacturing process, excluding primary production. The current version is IFS Food Version 8, which achieved GFSI recognition in September 2024. It is structured into 5 chapters covering 234 requirements and uses a scoring system from A to D, with KO requirements that can result in certification failure if scored as a knock-out.
IFS Food certification is required by retailers and brand owners primarily in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and other continental European markets, though it is accepted globally as a GFSI-recognised scheme. It applies to food manufacturers and processors at any stage after primary production. Businesses supplying retailers such as Carrefour, Auchan, Edeka, Rewe, Migros and other European retail groups are commonly required to hold IFS Food certification, often alongside or as an alternative to BRCGS or FSSC 22000.
IFS Food Version 8 uses a scoring system of A, B, C, D and KO for each of the 234 requirements. A is full compliance, B is a deviation representing almost full compliance, C and D represent increasing levels of non-compliance, and KO is a knock-out requirement. In Version 8, B scoring is now classified as a deviation worth 15 points, KO requirements can only be scored A, B or D, and C scoring is no longer possible for KO requirements. The overall score determines whether a site achieves Foundation Level or Higher Level certification, or fails.
Foundation Level and Higher Level are the two certification outcomes available under IFS Food Version 8, determined by the overall score achieved in the audit. Higher Level requires a higher overall percentage score and stricter limits on B-scored deviations and KO requirements. Higher Level certification is viewed favourably by retailers and represents a more mature food safety and quality management system. Many businesses target Foundation Level for first certification and pursue Higher Level as part of a structured improvement programme.
IFS Food Version 8 restructured the standard from 6 chapters to 5, reduced the total number of requirements slightly to 234, and aligned more closely with Codex Alimentarius, ISO 22003-2 and GFSI Benchmarking Requirements 2020. Key changes include new objectives across all four dimensions of food safety culture, the ability to display PDO and PGI designations on certificates, a restructured audit checklist that follows the audit process more logically, and changes to the scoring system including B becoming a formal deviation category. Version 8 achieved GFSI recognition in September 2024.
An IFS Food gap assessment is a requirement-by-requirement review of your food safety and quality management system against all 234 requirements of IFS Food Version 8 across its 5 chapters. Each requirement is assessed against the A to D and KO scoring criteria used by certification bodies, producing a predicted score and a prioritised action plan. Particular attention is paid to KO requirements, since a KO scored as D can result in certification failure regardless of the overall score.
The most common IFS Food audit issues are: KO requirements scored as D, particularly around HACCP, traceability and recall, and personnel hygiene. Food safety culture objectives that are documented but not measurable or evidenced across all four required dimensions. Specification and product information management gaps, especially for products carrying PDO or PGI designations. Internal audit programmes that do not cover the full scope of the 5 chapters. Quality management system documentation that has not kept pace with the restructured Version 8 requirements.
Our consulting work moves fast. From gap assessment to mock audit ready, most businesses are there in a few weeks. The total time to certificate depends on when the certification body can schedule your audit, which is outside our control. We make sure our part never holds you up.
Yes. Gap assessments, documentation development, food safety and quality management system design, internal audit support and certification preparation are all available remotely. We work with clients in any country. On-site visits are available for mock audits and where the production environment requires a physical review.
Yes. Many manufacturers supplying both UK and continental European retailers hold both IFS Food and BRCGS Food Safety certification. The two standards share a common foundation in HACCP, GFSI benchmarking requirements and Codex Alimentarius alignment, so a significant amount of documentation and system work can be shared between them. We assess your existing certification and scope a programme that addresses the additional requirements specific to the second standard, avoiding duplication of work.
You can commission any of these on their own, with an agreed scope and a written quote, without taking on ongoing consulting. See all food safety services.
To establish the real size of the project before an audit date is booked.
Read about A gap assessment →In the weeks before the audit, once the system is built.
Read about Certification audit preparation →Where the clause requires audits and nobody internal is independent enough.
Read about An internal audit →To check a response before it goes to the certification body.
Read about An audit finding response review →Tell us your current certification status, your target outcome and your timeline. We will tell you exactly what needs to happen.