Today’s globalised food industry is more competitive and challenging than ever before. As consumer expectations and legal requirements keep rising, professionals and businesses in this sector must meet and even exceed these demands. Earning a food safety certification plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.
When your business and its employees adhere to international standards, you can be sure your products will meet the recommended safety requirements. But that’s not all. You will also be more compliant with regulations and build trust with your customers. Read this article to the end to familiarise yourself with the different food safety certifications you want to have in your business.
What Are Food Safety Certifications
A food safety certification is a formal and voluntary recognition that a business or food handler acquires to show they comply with established food safety standards. Acquiring such certifications isn’t an easy process: you’ll have to undergo training and even pass different audits and inspections.
However, these processes are worthwhile. They earn you respect from your customers since it will be clear you’re putting in the right effort to ensure your customers’ safety. Additionally, it’s quite fulfilling to have an internationally recognised accreditation for food safety.
Top Food Safety Certifications to Acquire
Wondering which food safety certifications you must have in your business? Here are the best:
1. Certified Food Manager
This certification isn’t meant for your business, but rather for anyone who works with food and drinks. In the context of your business, this person is known as a food protection manager or person in charge (PIC). It’s highly recommended to ensure that there’s always one employee with this certification working in your business at any one time.
You also want to ensure you enrol in premium Food Manager Certification
courses from top-rated and widely recognised providers like RocketCert. Doing so enhances the recognition of your certification and gives anyone you are dealing with the confidence they need to trust your products and services.
2. ISO 22000
The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 22000 certification is a top credential for any business that has a part to play in the food supply chain. So, whether you are a farmer or a manufacturer, acquiring this certification will boost your credibility in business by a huge margin.
ISO 22000 outlines the requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS) and integrates key principles from HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and also Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). You need ISO 22000 to manage risks proactively and implement food safety practices across the different levels of production and distribution.
3. HACCP Certification
The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification is ideal for businesses that process, package, and/or distribute food, especially those exporting to the United States and European Union. It embraces a systematic and preventative approach to food safety to identify possible hazards in the production process.
The courses you take to earn this certification will cover various topics around hazard analysis, risk management, and the appropriate control measures for each stage of food handling.
4. SQF Certification
If you’re looking for a certification that’s recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), this is one of them. This globally recognised accreditation focuses on various areas of food safety and quality, such as food safety plans, consistent quality assurance, and risk management.
It’s an essential certification for businesses that want to demonstrate a strong commitment to safe and reliable food practices. Another thing to note about this certification is that it has a tiered approach, which makes it possible for your business to grow through various levels of food and safety quality assurance.
Improve Compliance With RocketCert
The certifications mentioned in this post are just some of the best in the food industry, but there are lots of others, such as FSSC 22000, BRCGS, IFS, FHC, and more. When you earn one or more of these certifications, you increase the credibility of your food business and earn greater trust from your customers.
Still, you want to be a bit selective about the education providers you work with. You want to choose a highly-rated and widely recognised provider like RocketCert. That way, you can enjoy a simplified journey to full certification and be sure you’re taking the right content. Visit rocketcert.com today to learn more!