Food Safety Certification Guide
Understanding food safety certifications is essential for B2B frozen food buyers. This guide explains the major certifications, what they mean, and which ones you need for different markets.
Food Safety Certification Guide - Key Information
Major food safety certifications for frozen produce suppliers include: BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (grades AA, A, B, C - GFSI benchmarked, required by UK/EU retailers), HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points - foundational food safety system, 7 principles), FDA Registration (mandatory for US imports, biennial renewal), ISO 22000 (international food safety management standard), Kosher (Jewish dietary compliance), and Halal (Islamic dietary compliance). For US market: FDA registration and HACCP required, BRC recommended. For EU market: HACCP required, BRC or IFS recommended. Crestwood Global works with BRC A/B Grade certified factories in China.
Certifications available from our factory network
Why Certifications Matter
Food safety certifications serve multiple purposes: they verify that suppliers have implemented proper food safety systems, they satisfy regulatory requirements for import, and they provide assurance to your own customers and auditors.
For B2B buyers sourcing from international suppliers, certifications reduce risk and simplify supplier qualification. Rather than conducting your own facility audits, you can rely on third-party certification bodies who audit to recognized standards.
Regulatory Compliance
Meet import requirements for FDA, EU, and other regulatory bodies
Retailer Requirements
Satisfy supply chain requirements from major retailers and food companies
Risk Reduction
Reduce supplier risk through verified third-party audits
Certification Deep Dive
Detailed information on the major food safety certifications for frozen produce suppliers.
BRC Global Standard for Food Safety
BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard is one of the most widely recognized food safety certification schemes. It's GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) benchmarked and accepted by major retailers worldwide.
Grades
Key Requirements
- Senior management commitment and continuous improvement
- HACCP-based food safety plan
- Food safety and quality management system
- Site standards and product control
- Process control and personnel
Who Needs This?
Required by most UK and many EU retailers. Increasingly requested by US food manufacturers and retailers.
HACCP Certification
HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is the foundational food safety system. It identifies biological, chemical, and physical hazards and establishes controls to prevent, eliminate, or reduce them to safe levels.
7 HACCP Principles
- Conduct hazard analysis
- Determine critical control points (CCPs)
- Establish critical limits
- Establish monitoring procedures
- Establish corrective actions
- Establish verification procedures
- Establish documentation and record keeping
Key Requirements
- Written HACCP plan specific to each product
- Trained HACCP team with designated leader
- Flow diagrams for all production processes
- Monitoring records for all CCPs
- Verification activities and annual reviews
Who Needs This?
Foundation for all food safety - required by FDA, EU, and most international food safety standards. Prerequisite for BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000.
FDA Facility Registration
FDA
US FDA registration is mandatory for any food facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for consumption in the United States. Registration must be renewed every two years.
Key Requirements
- Foreign facilities must designate a US Agent
- Registration number assigned to each facility
- Biennial renewal required (even-numbered years)
- Facility must be registered BEFORE shipping to US
- Prior Notice required for each shipment
Related Requirements
- FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) - Importers must verify foreign suppliers meet US safety standards
- Prior Notice - Electronic notification to FDA before food arrives at US port
- FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) - Preventive controls requirements
Who Needs This?
Mandatory for all food facilities exporting to the United States.
ISO 22000
ISO 22000
ISO 22000 is an international standard for food safety management systems. It combines HACCP principles with ISO management system standards and provides a framework for controlling food safety hazards.
Standard Structure
- • Context of the organization
- • Leadership and commitment
- • Planning for hazard control
- • Support and operation
- • Performance evaluation
- • Improvement
Key Requirements
- Interactive communication throughout the food chain
- System management aligned with ISO standards
- Prerequisite programs (PRPs)
- HACCP principles implementation
- Continual improvement processes
Who Needs This?
Companies seeking internationally recognized food safety management. Popular with suppliers to multinational food companies.
Kosher Certification
Kosher
Kosher certification indicates that food products meet Jewish dietary laws (kashrut). For frozen produce, this primarily concerns processing equipment, cleaning agents, and production scheduling relative to non-kosher products.
Types
Key Requirements
- Ingredient review and approval
- Production facility inspection
- Equipment and line dedication or thorough cleaning
- Ongoing supervision and periodic audits
- Certification symbol (hechsher) on packaging
Who Needs This?
Required for products sold to kosher consumers, kosher food manufacturers, and many mainstream US retailers who prefer kosher certification.
Halal Certification
Halal
Halal certification confirms that food products comply with Islamic dietary laws. For frozen produce, this involves ensuring no cross-contamination with haram (forbidden) substances during processing.
Key Requirements
- No cross-contamination with pork or alcohol-based products
- Processing equipment thoroughly cleaned or dedicated
- All ingredients reviewed for halal compliance
- No animal-derived processing aids (unless halal-certified)
- Certification from recognized halal authority
Key Markets
- • Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
- • Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia)
- • South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh)
- • Growing Muslim populations in US/EU
Who Needs This?
Required for export to Muslim-majority countries and for products marketed to halal consumers globally.
Certifications by Market
Different markets have different certification requirements and preferences.
| Market | Required | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | FDA Registration, HACCP | BRC (Grade A/B), Kosher, SQF | FSVP compliance required for importers. Many retailers prefer GFSI-benchmarked certifications. |
| European Union | HACCP | BRC (Grade A/B), IFS Food, ISO 22000 | EU General Food Law requires traceability. RASFF reporting affects import status. |
| United Kingdom | HACCP | BRC (Grade A preferred) | BRC originated in UK and remains the dominant standard for UK retail. |
| Germany | HACCP | IFS Food, BRC | German retailers often prefer IFS (International Featured Standards). |
| Middle East | HACCP, Halal | ISO 22000, GSFI-recognized | Halal certification is essential. Some countries require specific halal authorities. |
| Canada | HACCP, CFIA Registration | BRC, SQF, FSSC 22000 | Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) require preventive controls. |
Certified for Europe's Most Demanding Buyer
Our factory network has supplied FRoSTA AG — Germany's #1 frozen food brand — since 2017. FRoSTA's strict purity standards exceed typical certification requirements. The same certified factories that meet their standards are available to you.
View Our Factory CertificationsHow to Verify Certifications
Step 1: Request Current Certificates
Always request current, valid certificates from suppliers. Certificates should show the certification body, audit date, expiration date, scope of certification, and facility address.
Step 2: Verify with Certification Body
Most certification bodies maintain online directories. BRC certificates can be verified at brcdirectory.com. For other certifications, contact the issuing body directly.
Step 3: Review Audit Reports
Request the most recent audit report summary. This provides more detail than the certificate alone and shows any nonconformities that were identified and how they were addressed.
Step 4: Check Expiration Dates
Certifications expire and must be renewed. Ensure certificates are current and ask about the next scheduled audit date. Be cautious of suppliers with certificates expiring soon without renewal plans.
Questions About Certifications?
Crestwood Global works exclusively with BRC A/B Grade certified factories. Contact us to discuss your certification requirements or request current factory certificates.