IFS Food
GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety and quality manufacturing
ISO 26000
International guidance standard for social responsibility
Quick Verdict
IFS Food delivers certifiable food safety and quality audits for manufacturers, ensuring trusted products via rigorous on-site verification. ISO 26000 provides voluntary social responsibility guidance for all organizations, integrating governance, human rights, and sustainability through stakeholder engagement.
IFS Food
IFS Food Standard Version 8
Key Features
- Product and Process Approach with traceability tests
- Minimum 50% on-site production audit evaluation
- Risk-based scoring with 10 Knock-Out criteria
- Annual full audits plus unannounced Star option
- Auditable senior management governance and commitment
ISO 26000
ISO 26000:2010 Guidance on social responsibility
Key Features
- Seven principles underpinning all SR activities
- Seven core subjects for holistic impact assessment
- Explicitly non-certifiable guidance standard
- Stakeholder engagement for prioritization
- Integration across governance and operations
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
IFS Food Details
What It Is
IFS Food Version 8 is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers, auditing product and process compliance to ensure safe, legal, authentic products meeting customer specs. It uses a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA) with on-site verification and traceability tests, applicable to processing or primary packing sites.
Key Components
- Structured into 5 sections: governance, HACCP/PRPs, resources, operations, performance
- 200+ checklist requirements, including 10 Knock-Out (KO) criteria
- Built on HACCP, prerequisite programs, food fraud/defense
- ISO 17065-accredited annual audits with Higher/Foundation levels
Why Organizations Use It
- Enables European retailer access, reduces duplicate audits
- Mitigates recall/liability risks, builds supply chain trust
- Drives operational excellence, continuous improvement
- Star status via unannounced audits boosts competitiveness
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, FSMS build, training/validation, certification
- Targets food processors globally, site-specific scope
- Involves internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions
ISO 26000 Details
What It Is
ISO 26000:2010 is the international guidance standard on social responsibility (SR), providing a voluntary framework applicable to all organizations regardless of size, type, or location. Its primary purpose is to help organizations understand SR, integrate it holistically, and address impacts on society and the environment through a principles-based, stakeholder-driven approach.
Key Components
- **Seven core subjectsorganizational governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement.
- **Seven principlesaccountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, rule of law, international norms, human rights.
- Built on multi-stakeholder consensus; non-certifiable—no requirements, focuses on guidance and self-assessment.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances sustainability commitment, risk management, and stakeholder trust.
- Aligns with SDGs, OECD, GRI; supports ESG reporting without certification burden.
- Builds resilience, credibility, and competitive edge via transparent SR integration.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement, policy integration, training, reporting.
- Applies universally; uses PDCA cycles, embeds in management systems like ISO 14001/45001.
- No audits/certification; credibility via transparent reporting and assurance.
Key Differences
| Aspect | IFS Food | ISO 26000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food safety, quality, processes in manufacturing | Social responsibility across governance, human rights, environment |
| Industry | Food manufacturing, primarily European retailers | All organizations, sectors, sizes globally |
| Nature | GFSI-benchmarked certifiable standard | Non-certifiable voluntary guidance |
| Testing | Annual on-site audits, product sampling, traceability tests | Self-assessment, stakeholder engagement, no formal audits |
| Penalties | Certification loss, no legal penalties | No penalties, reputational risks only |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about IFS Food and ISO 26000
IFS Food FAQ
ISO 26000 FAQ
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