The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6 has been extensively revised in consultation with senior representatives from major retailers and food service companies, ensuring that it continues to meet the requirements of manufacturers and retailers.
The Standard was first introduced by the BRC in 1998 and now has almost 14,000 certified sites in over 100 countries across the world.
Issue 6 places increased emphasis on good manufacturing practice, including a change in the balance of the number and depth of requirements in favour of the implementation of good manufacturing systems within the factory and greater focus on standardising best practices for auditing the Standard.
Key changes for Issue 6 include:
- Expanded sections on foreign body control, hygiene and housekeeping, and allergens
- Introduction of a new voluntary 2 stage unannounced audit scheme
- A reduced number of clauses to ensure each expresses a significant idea, this will contribute to consistency of grading as requirements are now of similar significance
Issue 6 will come into effect in January 2012. Issue 5 can still be used for audits until January 2012. It is a requirement that all suppliers undergoing a BRC Food Safety audit have an official, authorised copy of this Standard.
