Food Safety Compliance Tips for a Global Expansion

As food and beverage companies achieve more success, growth inevitably slows down. There are only so many consumers to sell to in a given region, and the best products eventually reach their market cap.  

In lieu of expanding product offerings, the next logical step for companies is to expand into international markets, tap into new audiences, diversify their revenue streams, and begin building a truly global brand.  

However, going international also requires significant changes to food safety programs that could present challenges. Understanding what’s expected for global food safety standards is key to streamlining expansion and avoiding compliance issues. 

The Top Food Safety Challenges of Global Expansion 

Becoming an international food and beverage manufacturer introduces more than just operational and marketing challenges — companies need to make significant changes to their food safety plans in order to overcome hurdles like: 

• Managing the supply chain, particularly when it comes to evaluating and monitoring new suppliers in unfamiliar regions.  
• Creating workforce training programs that take into account possible language and cultural differences while teaching and enforcing high food safety standards. 
• Creating a food safety culture that’s unified, understood, and practiced across the entire company, in each market. 
• Meeting global food safety standards that are also in compliance with each market to reduce risk and operational complexity. 

How to Align With Global Food Safety Standards 

Complying with global food safety standards is often the most challenging aspect of international expansion. Here are four tips for avoiding issues: 

1. Adopt a recognized food safety management system 

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is an internationally recognized food safety authority that benchmarks different food safety standards around the world while working with stakeholders to unify and harmonize requirements. As the world’s food supply chain becomes more interconnected, the organization is working to ensure each market stays aligned with a set of best practices and quality standards to improve trade and reduce risk.  

One of the best ways to ensure compliance with global food safety standards is to select a GFSI benchmarked standard relevant to your operation or required for the market you’re entering.  

2. Implement the current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) 

Good Manufacturing Practices are procedures designed to ensure consistent production and hazard control, according to a set of rigorous quality standards. These practices cover everything from sanitation and hygiene to equipment maintenance and employee food safety training.  

Staying up-to-date and implementing the latest GMPs is critical to ensuring compliance with global food safety standards while also reducing the risk of hazards in your operation that could trigger recalls. 

3. Invest in training and education for compliance 

Effective and regular training equips staff with the knowledge and skills they need to maintain compliance according to global food safety standards, prevent contamination, and respond effectively to any issues that may arise.  

Instilling these principles can help team members across borders work together more effectively around common values and frameworks, regardless of geographic and cultural differences. Perhaps most importantly, this reinforces compliance by creating a unified culture of food safety across your global operation.   

4. Attain specific certifications 

Once you’ve taken these steps, it’s important to get certified by the organization overseeing your chosen food safety scheme. Each standard will have definite requirements for attaining certification, as well as different processes for auditing and ensuring compliance. It’s critical to carefully study certification requirements ahead of time to ensure proper investment and resource allocation for compliance.  

Prepare for any market with AIB International’s consolidated standards for inspection 

Certification for global food safety standards is a complex and rigorous process that can be difficult to navigate on your own — especially if you’re focused on international expansion. AIB International offers a breadth of trainings, consultation, and other hands-on services to help food and beverage manufacturers with all aspects of global food safety standards compliance.  

If you want to ensure a smoother transition into the global market, leveraging this kind of third-party knowledge and support is key. Start the compliance journey with our Consolidated Standards for Inspection Prerequisite & Food Safety Programs.