Discovering IFS Progress Food

Designed to support the implementation and phased evaluation of safety and quality processes, IFS Progress Food promotes robust management and continuous improvement, offering a solid path to IFS certification. 

Changes are often implemented to promote improvements, facilitating the understanding and advancement of processes. With this goal in mind, IFS has changed the name of the IFS Global Markets program to IFS Progress. Although the nomenclature has changed, the essence of the program remains the same: to help companies strengthen their internal processes, ensure compliance with strict safety and quality standards, and achieve certification in an efficient and structured manner.

The name change, which took place in the first half of 2024, was designed to better reflect the program's proposal. The new name highlights continuous improvement and the step-by-step approach towards IFS certification. This change emphasizes progress and constant development, aligning with the companies' quality and safety objectives and making the program more representative.

In addition, the name update has been applied to all IFS Global Markets standards, ensuring a consistent and unified approach across all sectors served by the program. IFS Global Markets Food is now known as IFS Progress Food, maintaining its focus on helping food companies improve their food safety and quality processes. Similarly we also have: IFS Progress Logistics; IFS Progress HPC; and IFS Progress PACsecure.

What is IFS Progress?

IFS Progress is an initiative that seeks to facilitate the implementation and gradual assessment of safety and quality processes in companies. It offers a framework that guides companies from the initial stages of compliance through to full certification, if that is the goal of the business.

The main advantage of IFS Progress is its ability to provide a clear path for institutions seeking to align themselves with international safety and quality standards. The program is particularly valuable for companies starting out on their journey towards IFS certification, providing support and guidance every step of the way.

This IFS Progress path is the direction for a gradual assessment, at basic and intermediate levels, which enables the company to evolve.

The transition to IFS Progress and its benefits

IFS Global Markets and IFS Progress are essentially the same program. Although the name has changed, the standards, rules and requirements remain the same, ensuring that companies already familiar with IFS Global Markets can continue their work without interruption.

The program offers a structured and efficient approach to certification, while maintaining the same advantages:

• Strengthening internal processes: By following the program's guidelines, companies can identify and correct flaws in their safety and quality systems, ensuring that all operations are in line with international standards.
• Compliance with strict standards: Another advantage of the program is that it ensures that companies comply with safety and quality standards. This not only helps to avoid legal and regulatory problems, but also increases the confidence of consumers and business partners.
• Structured and efficient approach: By dividing the process into stages with levels of evolution, IFS Progress makes it easier for companies to track their progress and make the necessary adjustments.

Eligible sectors and applicability of IFS Progress Food

The IFS Progress Food program is applicable to a wide range of sectors within the food industry. Food processing companies and those that pack bulk food products, especially where there is a risk of contamination, are eligible. Sectors covered include meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, bakery and confectionery, combined products, beverages, oils and fats, dry goods and animal feed.

This broad applicability ensures that the program can benefit a variety of companies, regardless of their specific focus within the food industry.

IFS Progress Food evaluation process

The IFS Progress Food assessment process begins with planning, which defines the level of assessment, the duration and the assessment schedule. This stage is key to ensuring that all aspects of the company's food safety and quality process are properly assessed.

The next stage is the assessment itself, which includes an opening meeting, sample selection, overview, on-site assessment, documentation review, inspection, interviews and, finally, a closing meeting. This detailed phase ensures that all aspects of the company's processes are carefully examined.

Finally, a report is issued detailing any deviations that may have come to light. With the final report in hand, companies can draw up a comprehensive action plan, implementing the necessary corrections and corrective actions to address these deviations and thus continuously improve their system.

Once all the steps have been completed, the final step is to receive the letter of compliance. To do this, companies must meet specific criteria at different assessment levels:

• Basic Level: total score equal to or greater than 75% and no higher score on the basic level.
• Basic Level + HACCP: total score equal to or greater than 75% and no higher score in basic level and/or HACCP requirements.
• Intermediate Level: total score equal to or greater than 75% at basic and intermediate level and no higher score at basic and intermediate level.

The IFS Progress Food Confirmation Letter is issued only if the assessment status/result is approved. It is uploaded together with the report to the IFS database, providing visibility for database users. The letter is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

Implementing the program in practice

Risk assessment is an essential part of IFS Progress Food, implemented at the intermediate level of the program, including HACCP/APPCC and other specific risk assessments.

The principles of risk assessment include the use of historical and current information, as well as future expectations. It is essential to consider the limitations and uncertainties associated with this information and expectations, basing them on hard data for accurate and effective risk management.

Even if your company already carries out a lot of monitoring, risk analysis is still necessary. Monitoring is usually based on a previous analysis, but it is the risk analysis that defines which monitoring should be carried out and assesses whether it is appropriate. It is therefore a step within the risk analysis process, not a replacement.

Risk assessment is also essential for the company to identify and size up its points of weakness and/or greatest attention, and thus stipulate and prioritize actions, monitoring and checks, bringing more assertiveness to its system, and guaranteeing the quality and food safety of its products.

One step closer to certification

IFS Progress, regardless of market segment, is an essential tool for companies seeking to continuously improve their safety and quality processes, ensuring compliance and strengthening their position in the market. With a clear structure and a focus on continuous improvement, IFS Progress provides companies with the support they need to achieve and maintain high safety and quality standards.

To download the full IFS Progress Food standard quick guide, click here.