THE MOST IMPORTANT ABBREVIATIONS, DEFINITIONS and standards
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IFS Food - International Featured Standard Food
The IFS is a standard recognized by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) for auditing food manufacturers. The IFS standard was developed by IFS-Management GmbH Berlin with international participation. The focus is on food safety and the quality of the processes and products. The standard applies to food processors.
The requirements regarding lighting can be found in section 4.9.7. -
HACCP - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
Every company in the food industry has to introduce a HACCP system. This HACCP or HCCP concept is used to avoid food-related hazards that can lead to illness or injury to consumers. The prerequisites for the establishment of a HACCP concept are the highest demands on operational and personnel hygiene and the corresponding structural conditions. In German law, the HACCP concept was already anchored in the 1998 food hygiene regulation. EU Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on food hygiene makes the use of the HACCP concept mandatory for all companies in the food industry. - BRC - British Rail Consortium
The BRC has developed the Global Standard for Food Safety. This standard was developed to specify the safety, quality and operational criteria. The BRC requires the implementation of the HACCP concept. Like IFS, BRC is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative. It is mainly distributed in the English-speaking countries, parts of Asia and the USA.
- VDMA - Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V.
On January 1, 2006, EU Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on food hygiene came into force. This European Hygiene Regulation applies to all companies that produce, process and market food on a commercial basis, such as:
- bakery, confectionery and butchery
- restaurants
- food industry
- trade and transport
The VDMA has published hygiene requirements for machines and systems in the confectionery industry. According to these hygiene requirements, certain materials and seals are not permitted. The requirements of the VDMA are prescribed by many retail chains as binding regulations for suppliers in the food industry.
- DIN 10500
DIN 10500 "Food hygiene - sales vehicles and mobile, temporary sales facilities for perishable food - hygiene requirements, tests" applies only to sales vehicles, in which perishable food is treated or marketed. Certification is of very limited informative value and is not relevant for the food industry.