GFSI Systems and FSMA

Superior Food Safety assists employees from diverse backgrounds at low and high-risk food manufacturing plants as they implement, manage, and maintain FSMA compliance programs and GFSI systems (SQF, BRC, FSSC2200, IFS, etc.). Our proprietary methodology is based on core principles of integrity and personal responsibility – the key factors in all successful food safety operations. This unique methodology helps our clients develop and build their own Risk Management Culture® that forms the foundation of all future safety endeavors in their organization.

Step 1 GFSI/FSMA Gap Analysis

The first step toward compliance is the evaluation of your current food safety programs against FSMA or GFSI system requirements. This involves an extensive review of your documents, building, processing equipment, employee practices, current food safety system design, and company culture. This process gives us a big picture understanding of the gaps in your system and helps identify exactly where change needs to be implemented to meet industry and government safety standards.

Step 2 System Design

The gap analysis provides the information needed to determine if your company requires re-designation of food safety responsibilities. It is important that responsibilities are aligned with each manager’s job description and line of command. Clearly defined responsibilities and a well-designed chain of command foster personal accountability and system-wide success.

Step 3 Budget Evaluation

It is also crucial that managers know how to correctly calculate the budget for a comprehensive food safety system. Superior Food Safety helps you anticipate and budget for capital projects, building and equipment updates, consulting services, training, and other system necessities. Clearly identifying these costs is the first step to ensure that senior management commits the required resources for the success of the implementation phase.

Step 4 Project Timeline

Once the responsibilities are designated and the resources allocated, Superior Food Safety builds the project timeline and recommends a deadline to meet FSMA compliance or achieve GFSI certification. In this phase, your company will designate a Project Manager and a GFSI or FSMA Steering Management Team that will be meeting on a regular basis to follow up on project status for support and accountability. It is crucial that senior management be represented on this team as a demonstration of management commitment.

Step 5 Collaborative Project Website

Superior Food Safety’s role in the execution phase is to provide support and technical guidance. Your company owns and executes the system. We have developed a state-of-the-art collaborative web-based system linked to companies’ and consultants’ e-mails that allows real-time tracking of project status, online training, and review of documents. This collaborative, project management site ensures everyone’s accountability and support.

Step 6 Management Training

Superior Food Safety will deliver customized training on how to use the website and other tools for tracking and maintaining selected FSMA or GFSI standards. Each manager responsible for each task must gain a perfect understanding of the execution phase.

Step 7 Project Execution

The team will start the execution of the project after all the previous steps have been completed. Superior Food Safety’s role will be to support, guide, review and approve documentation as needed. We are also available to execute internal audits, HACCP reviews and validation and verification procedures.