Producing safe, reliable, gluten-free products
Formerly known as the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP), BRCGS Gluten-free certification provides food manufacturers with independent recognition for allergen food safety compliance. Endorsed by various Celiac related organizations, this programme aims to meet specific consumer expectations for ‘gluten-free’ product claims that are essential for consumer confidence and trust.
Based on the internationally recognized requirements of Codex Alimentarius HACCP, this programme covers additional requirements for:
- Management commitment
- Specific gluten-free management system documentation including prerequisite programs, HACCP plan, validation, monitoring and verification activities
- Facility recognition and licencing processes
This program exclusively applies to:
- Manufactures who are also brand owners producing products in their own facility/facilities
- Brand owners whose products are co-manufactured by contracted facilities
- Contracted facilities co-manufacturing private label products
Certification to the scheme can be completed as a standalone programme or as an addition to your existing food safety standards to compliment and expand allergen management to provide additional assurance to consumers that your facility is able to consistently maintain a gluten-free production environment.
Whether you’re looking to guide your organization for compliance and consistency of operations or to seek recognition for your commitment to food safety and allergen management systems, we can provide the certification to meet your unique needs.
Benefits of adoption
BRCGS Gluten-free will add rigour to your allergen management due diligence and allow the use of the GFCP certification trademark on the applicable product packaging promoting that the product is certified gluten-free.
Certification to GFCP will demonstrate your commitment to allergen management with the added benefits of:
- Recognition to a certification programme specifically for the manufacture of gluten-free foods
- Risk mitigation through the application of preventative risk-based system of controls for all steps in the manufacturing process to effectively identify and manage gluten rather than a reliance on end product analytical testing
- Showing your commitment to allergen management, providing confidence to your customers, retailers and consumers
- Brand credibility in a sensitive market catering for ‘special dietary needs’
- Consistent application across international sites, facilitating internal benchmarking and strategic allergen risk management
- Access to GFCP exclusive gluten-free research as well as marketing and communication initiatives managed by leading food industry and gluten-free experts.
The journey to certification
- Apply using the GFCP website.
- Sign the license agreement.
- Book your audit with BSI.
- Prepare for your audit.
- Successfully complete the audit process.
- Make the most of your certification by promoting it to your customers.
- Maintain your certification through ongoing, annual audits with BSI.
If you have any questions, please contact us for more information on how you can achieve certification.
Why BSI?
The food industry impacts every person on the planet. Though what the world’s population may eat may differ depending on the geography, wealth, age, gender and availability of goods, no other sector plays such a vital role in all of our day-today lives and culture. Economically, food represents 10% of global GDP (valued at US$48 trillion by the World Bank).
But the food sector also faces significant challenges. Each year, food-borne illness makes one in ten people ill and is the cause of death for millions around the world. Population growth projections and an increasing middle class suggest that the demand for food will increase 70% by 2050. And, consumers are increasingly conscious about what goes into their food, how it’s made, its impact on ecosystems and where it comes from.
BSI believes the world deserves food that is safe, sustainable and socially responsible. We support the food sector by developing and publishing standards of best practice, supply chain solutions as well as training and certification to not only the most popular food safety standards, but other business improvement standards that work together to make organizations more resilient.
Working in 172 countries, we pride ourselves on the expertise, integrity and professionalism of our people. Our mission is to help our 80,000 clients, ranging from high-profile global brands to small local companies, survive and prosper in today’s world.
