GFSI Benchmarking Requirements 2020: Food Safety Culture for Every Recognised Scheme
The 2020 version of the GFSI benchmarking requirements makes food safety culture an element that every recognised certification scheme has to address.
Key points
- GFSI published the 2020 version of its benchmarking requirements in February 2020.
- Recognised schemes must include elements of food safety culture in their standards.
- Culture is assessed through what management does and what people on site actually do.
What GFSI means by culture
GFSI describes food safety culture as the shared values, beliefs and norms that affect mindset and behaviour towards food safety across an organisation. In practice it is what people do when nobody is checking.
What schemes will ask for
- Communication of food safety policies and responsibilities
- Training that is checked for effectiveness
- Feedback from employees on food safety issues
- Performance measurement of food safety activities
- Visible commitment and resources from senior management
How to start
Measure first. Combine a short survey with observation on the line and a review of how reported problems were handled. Then choose a small number of actions, assign them to managers, and review progress in the management review.