BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Version 8

22 Jan 2019

Are you aware of the changes implemented in this new version?

Version 8 of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety was released in August 2018 and all audits conducted from 1st February 2019 will be against the new standard. The focus for BRC in implementing the changes to version 8 has been to consolidate key themes in the requirements. The intention is that this will ensure global applicability in line with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and encourage the development of a broader food safety culture.

The most obvious change is the inclusion of two additional sections – one on 'Production Risk Zones' - High Risk, High Care and Ambient High Care Requirements, and one on 'Traded Goods', which is, initially, voluntary.

However, there are changes throughout the other sections. One of the more significant changes is on Food Safety and Quality Culture. This was previously a voluntary requirement but BRC have now made this mandatory. This means sites will need to demonstrate the development, implementation and assessment of action plans on food safety and quality. This includes provision of a confidential reporting system for employees.

Other notable changes include the following;

• The separation of Supplier Control into Supplier Approval and Supplier Monitoring clauses
• Documented Risk Assessments on internal and external threats of malicious contamination
• Risk-based programmes for Environmental Monitoring
• Validation of shelf life and cooking instructions
• The need for traceability procedures
• Cyber security
• Training for labelling procedures
• Understanding of laboratory results

Get ready for Version 8

In our BRC Food Safety Issue 8 webinar we cover in detail the key changes from version 7 and discuss ways in which they may be managed to give full business protection. We focus on each of the areas of change and what they mean for your businesses. We outline what options are available for reasonable, practical due diligence management and how a controlled and documented programme of training, inspections and testing can ensure BRC compliance and protect your business.