GFSI launches first-ever set of requirements for food safety auditor training

Elevating the accessibility and perception of food safety auditing to be comparable with other well-respected auditing industries such as finance

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), a Coalition of Action of The Consumer Goods Forum, has launched the first-ever set of Benchmarking Requirements for food safety auditor Professional Recognition Bodies.

By raising the profile of the profession of auditing, and focusing entry requirements on competence, the aim is to attract and retain talents into this vital profession.

Over the years, the industry has faced mounting difficulties in recruiting and retaining auditors, with more people leaving the profession than new recruits joining it. This is putting a strain on the Certification Bodies’ ability to cater to the increasing demand in food safety audits – and presents a severe threat to the whole food safety ecosystem.

The situation has worsened due to increasingly complex and duplicated requirements applying to new and existing auditors, including the increasing GFSI Benchmarking Requirements for Certification Programme Owners on auditors.

To combat this, GFSI has now developed a new recognition programme for Professional Recognition Bodies in the sector, setting them up as responsible for validating common competencies in a food safety auditor for all GFSI-recognised Certification Programme Owners.

The move, informed by an open consultation to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders, also means that the food industry can rely on this registration and validation to verify the competency of the auditor.