The Cornerstone of Food Safety

In the web of the global food industry, safety is at the forefront for consumers and producers alike. With a vision of safe food for consumers everywhere, the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a pivotal force driving the harmonization of food safety standards across the world.

It focuses on building a bigger community of people who care about food safety, working together to improve those standards for everyone. GFSI ensures that certified practices meet the highest possible standards, thus facilitating international food trade and strengthening consumer trust.

The Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification stands out as one recognized by GFSI, with over 14,000+ certified plants in over 40 countries. This certification is tailored to ensure the utmost quality and safety of food packaging—demonstrating a facility’s ability to safely handle, process, and package food products. It safeguards against contamination and ensures the integrity of the food product from production to consumption.

As a global leader in industrial packaging and services, Greif has a multitude of facilities across the United States that have earned the prestigious SQF certification. These certified facilities support a wide range of packaging products, including fiber drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBC), steel and plastic drums, and paper packaging; all products are manufactured under the strict guidelines of SQF certification.

Their commitment to ensuring food safety is visible in their use of food-safe technology, equipment, and materials, as well as their pursuit of the most stringent certifications. Notably, all of Greif’s IBC facilities in the United States currently maintain a GFSI recognized SQF certification.

For example, the recently launched GCUBE IBC Flex 2.0 by Greif is engineered for shipping high-sensitivity products, with the ability to meet aseptic requirements needed for this industry. For food products, GCUBE IBC Flex 2.0 is ideal for packaging liquid and semi-liquid products such as purees, pastes, and malts. It exemplifies Greif’s commitment to producing packaging in controlled and safe facilities that meet the most rigid quality standards.

The food industry is in a state of constant evolution, with emerging trends such as sustainable packaging solutions and transparency within the food supply chain gaining momentum. These patterns emphasize the increasing significance of upholding strict measures for packaging safety and quality, as companies with SQF certification could have an advantage in meeting these evolving requirements.

Considering the difficulties faced by the food industry in overseeing food supply networks, the significance of certified packaging production facilities is increasingly critical. By maintaining a commitment to the highest levels of food safety and quality, these facilities safeguard consumers and promote the credibility and long-term viability of the global food sector.