Hi irheavyd,
Although a bit late to the party GFSI has launched a new Global Markets Programme - GMaP™:
This work gives smaller companies a way to start meeting the requirements of their customers, gain new customers and supply safe food to local and global markets. Meanwhile, it enhances companies’ compliance with national and international regulatory frameworks such as CODEX while improving food safety culture and practices across geographies.
SQF offer a Fundamentals Program:
Built as a lower level approach, the Fundamentals Program helps integrate robust food safety standards into your existing practices while creating a pathway to achieving globally accepted SQF Certification recognized by GFSI.
Regarding the use of consultants, this has been discussed in previous topics linked below. I have posted my thoughts on the use of consultants in the first topic and have posted an example of the many recommendations we have had in the second and third.
Where to begin Implementing SQF?
My post: As a former on-site consultant, I believe that the cost of a consultant to implement an SQF compliant Food Safety Management System is quite prohibitive. The costs involved are not only the consultant’s fees but also the cost of the consultant's travel, board and lodging during the assignment. Typically, this would be around $4,000/week for an assignment of 4 – 6 months, so up to $100,000.
This is why the IFSQN set up the Food Safety Management System Implementation Packages for GFSI-recognized Certification Programs.
Need to switch from ISO22000 to IFS FOOD
Evans X.: The least painful way would be to hire a consultant to set you up. The least costly but painful, depending how familiar you are, would be to set it up yourselves. If you go for the 2nd option and have the budget, you could purchase the guide from the STORE in this site to ease it up. Regards!
Help my understanding on how to get FSSC 22000 certification
SQFconsultant: If your company wants you to DIY, the best route would be for you to have a consultant do what is known as an FSSC 22000 consulting gap analysis to see where you are right now in respect to food safety management system documentation, condition of facility, etc. and then get the IFSQN development package and DIY your own system, have an FSSC 22000 Auditor come in to do a pre-audit review and inspection and then go for your official certifying body audit.
Kind regards,
Tony