Your buyer said GFSI. These are the options, what separates them, and how to pick.
GFSI benchmarks schemes; it does not certify operations. When a buyer asks for GFSI certification, they mean a certificate from one of the schemes that meets the benchmark — and usually they will accept any of them.
Not every recognized scheme is relevant to a farm. Several were written for manufacturing or packaging materials. The table below covers the ones produce operations actually get asked for.
Recognition status and standard versions change over time. Verify the current recognized list with GFSI, and confirm acceptance with the buyer who asked.
| Scheme | Owner | Best fit | Distinguishing requirement | Commonly asked by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PrimusGFS | Azzule Systems | Growers, harvest crews, grower-packers | Modular scope — one certificate can cover field and facility | U.S., Mexican and Central American produce supply chains |
| SQF | SQFI (FMI) | Packers, processors, storage and distribution | A named, employed, HACCP-trained SQF practitioner | North American retail and foodservice |
| GLOBALG.A.P. IFA | FoodPLUS GmbH | Farms exporting internationally | Environmental requirements plus an optional social practice add-on | European retail and multinational buyers |
| CanadaGAP | CanAgPlus | Canadian fruit and vegetable operations | Option structure scaled to operation size and complexity | Canadian retail and buyers supplying Canada |
| BRCGS | BRCGS | Packing and processing facilities | Strongly facility-centric, with a grading system | UK and European retail |
| FSSC 22000 | Foundation FSSC | Processors and manufacturers | Built on ISO 22000, suits existing ISO management systems | Manufacturers and international food businesses |
Widely accepted in U.S. produce, but not benchmarked against GFSI. Records transfer; the certificate does not substitute.
The older USDA audit. Same position — useful, not GFSI.
A production-method certification, not a food safety scheme at all.
Some retailers still run their own checklist. Meeting it does not produce a GFSI-recognized certificate.
From every buyer, not just the one who raised it. Look for whether they name a scheme or accept any recognized one.
Field-only, grower-packer, packhouse or processor rules several options in or out immediately.
Where your product ends up usually settles the remaining choice.
Ask who audits your area for each candidate scheme, and what travel that implies.
The practitioner requirement, and the management-system workload generally, needs a real owner.
Audit fee, travel, scheme fees and re-audit terms separated, so the comparison is honest.
One table: recognition, scope, HACCP and who asks for each.
Read the guide →Whichever scheme you land on, the evidence underneath it is the same. Keep it in one place.
GAP APP provides audit-preparation tools and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or accredited by GFSI, Azzule Systems, SQFI, CanAgPlus, GLOBALG.A.P. or USDA. Certification decisions are made solely by accredited certification bodies and their auditors.