How to Choose the Right Food Safety Certification Body

When your food business implements a food safety management system—such as USDA Organic, SQF, BRCGS, GMP, or GLOBALG.A.P.—the next step is certification. This certification demonstrates your compliance with global food safety standards and builds trust with consumers, retailers, and regulators alike. But how do you choose the right certification body to support you on this journey?

Why the Certification Body You Choose Matters

A certification body, like Perry Johnson Registrations Food Safety Limited (PJRFSL), is an independent third party responsible for evaluating your food safety management system and issuing certification. While price may be a tempting factor, selecting a body based solely on cost can compromise credibility, food industry expertise, and long-term value.

The right certification body does more than conduct an audit—it becomes a strategic partner in your continuous improvement journey.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Food Safety Certification Body

Here’s what to look for when selecting the best food safety certification partner:

• Food Industry Reputation: Choose a certification body recognised and respected within the food and beverage sector. Their reputation lends credibility to your certificate and confidence to your customers.
• Accreditation: Make sure the body is accredited by a globally recognised accreditation body (such as ANAB). Accreditation ensures that audits are performed to international standards.
• Scheme Expertise: Whether you’re pursuing GFSI-recognised schemes like SQF, BRCGS, or GLOBALG.A.P., your auditors should have deep knowledge of that specific standard and the challenges facing food businesses.
• Auditor Qualifications: Ask about the auditor’s background. An auditor with real-world food safety experience can provide insights far beyond a checklist.
• Integrated Certification Options: If your facility needs to meet multiple standards, choose a body that offers integrated audits to save time and resources.
• Global Experience, Local Support: Look for a partner with both worldwide reach and local auditors to ensure flexible scheduling and local understanding.
• Multilingual Support: Clear communication is essential. Ensure auditors speak your team’s primary language fluently.
• Pre-Certification Expectations: Some bodies require a mature system before certification. Clarify these benchmarks upfront to avoid delays.
• Transparent Pricing: Understand what’s included in the quote—such as travel costs, report writing, and technical reviews—so there are no surprises later.

Start by identifying your goals: Are you targeting new markets? Meeting retailer requirements? Enhancing internal controls? Then compare potential partners not just on price—but on value.

Why Choose PJRFSL113?

At PJRFSL, we believe certification is more than a stamp of approval—it’s a tool for strengthening food safety, building trust, and supporting business growth. Here’s what sets us apart:

• GFSI and ISO Expertise: We’re accredited for major food safety schemes including SQF, BRCGS, GLOBALG.A.P., and more—helping businesses across the entire food supply chain.
• Industry-Specific Auditors: Our auditors bring hands-on food industry experience—from farming and processing to distribution and packaging.
• Global Reach with Local Focus: With auditors around the world, we combine international recognition with regional understanding.
• Integrated Audit Services: Certifying to multiple standards? We offer efficient, integrated audits tailored to your needs.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Our audits go beyond compliance to offer feedback that helps you improve your processes.
• Dedicated Client Support: From application to audit, our team partners with you to ensure a smooth, transparent certification process.

When it comes to food safety, don’t settle for less than a partner who understands your industry, speaks your language, and shares your commitment to excellence.

Contact PJRFSL today at +44 (0) 203 917 6096 or email [email protected] to speak with a project manager and learn how we can support your certification journey.