What Is the PrimusGFS Audit Certification Program?

PrimusGFS is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognized audit Certification Program, with certification in 22 countries. Endorsed by more than 7,326 organizations, PrimusGFS provides total produce supply chain coverage.

Which Modules are right for my Operation?

Farm

Also known as Ranch. This type of audit is applicable to farming and growing of plants, grains, and pulses for food industry on open land conditions.

 

Module 1

Applicable for all production areas and is the assessment of an operation’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The FSMS is a set of interrelated systems that when used in combination ensure that food is safe for human consumption. It incorporates, GAPs, GMPs/PRPs, GHPs, HACCP and other practices such as regulatory requirements and communication to ensure food safety is maintained.

 

Module 2 – Farm

Assessment of an Operation´s Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for farm activities related to irrigation and water use, soil amendments, land use (previous and adjacent), animal access (domestic/wild), equipment, worker health & hygiene practices, pesticide usage.

 

Module 8 – Grains and Pulses

Assessment of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) applicable and specifically designed for operations dedicated to the production of grains and pulses and the evaluation of their growing, handling, and storage practices. Taking into account security and food safety aspects such as current and previous land use, water use, agronomic inputs, pesticide application, management practices, harvesting, storage, etc.

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Indoor Agriculture

Also known as Greenhouse. This audit is applicable to Farming and Growing of plants for food industry in a controlled environment in temporary or permanent enclosed structure (e.g., greenhouse, vertical growing, hydroponics, mushroom farms, etc.).

This does not include shade or hoop houses.

Module 1

Applicable for all production areas and is the assessment of an operation’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The FSMS is a set of interrelated systems that when used in combination ensure that food is safe for human consumption. It incorporates, GAPs, GMPs/PRPs, GHPs, HACCP and other practices such as regulatory requirements and communication to ensure food safety is maintained.

 

Module 3 – Indoor Agriculture

Assessment of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for indoor growing activities related to irrigation and water use, soil amendments, animal access (domestic/wild), equipment, tools and buildings, worker health & hygiene practices, pesticide usage.

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Harvest Crew

Applicable to harvesting on Farm or Indoor Agriculture. Harvesting (gathering) a crop from the production site (e.g., pulling or digging produce from the ground, picking it, separating it from the plant), either manually or mechanically.

 

Module 1

Applicable for all production areas and is the assessment of an operation’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The FSMS is a set of interrelated systems that when used in combination ensure that food is safe for human consumption. It incorporates, GAPs, GMPs/PRPs, GHPs, HACCP and other practices such as regulatory requirements and communication to ensure food safety is maintained.

 

Module 4 – Harvest Crew

Assessment of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for harvesting activities related to equipment, tools, worker health & hygiene practices, harvest practices, transportation and on-site storage.

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Packinghouse

Applicable to Facilities where commodities are sorted and/or sized, may be minimally trimmed (not altered in form), washed or not washed, may have post-harvest fungicide treatments applied (e.g., wax, sprout inhibitor) and packed for commercial distribution and use by consumer or retail establishment.

 

Module 1

Applicable for all production areas and is the assessment of an operation’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The FSMS is a set of interrelated systems that when used in combination ensure that food is safe for human consumption. It incorporates, GAPs, GMPs/PRPs, GHPs, HACCP and other practices such as regulatory requirements and communication to ensure food safety is maintained.

 

Module 5 – GMP

Assessment of Good Manufacturing Practices for a Facility operation to mitigate potential and real risks. Key categories include, facility design and construction material, water supply, plumbing and toilet facilities, equipment and utensils, raw food handling and process controls, personal hygiene, pest control, and waste disposal.

 

Module 6 – HACCP

Assessment of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles used to identify, prevent, and control food safety hazards.

 

Module 7 – Preventive Controls *optional

Assessment of the operation’s FSMA Preventive Controls for Human or Animal Food Plan. Preventive controls minimize or prevent food safety hazards. These controls include, process, allergen, sanitation and other additional controls.

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Cooling & Cold Storage

This type of audit is adequate for facilities that not only receive, and store finished goods but perform pre-cooling techniques and/or cooling activities.

 

Module 1

Applicable for all production areas and is the assessment of an operation’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The FSMS is a set of interrelated systems that when used in combination ensure that food is safe for human consumption. It incorporates, GAPs, GMPs/PRPs, GHPs, HACCP and other practices such as regulatory requirements and communication to ensure food safety is maintained.

 

Module 5 – GMP

Assessment of Good Manufacturing Practices for a Facility operation to mitigate potential and real risks. Key categories include, facility design and construction material, water supply, plumbing and toilet facilities, equipment and utensils, raw food handling and process controls, personal hygiene, pest control, and waste disposal.

 

Module 6 – HACCP

Assesment of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles used to identify, prevent, and control food safety hazards.

 

Module 7 – Preventive Controls *optional

Assessment of the operation’s FSMA Preventive Controls for Human or Animal Food Plan. Preventive controls minimize or prevent food safety hazards. These controls include, process, allergen, sanitation and other additional controls.

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Processing

This audit is suited for production facilities producing perishable food from plant products or ambient stable products. Examples of facilities include controlled temperature environment where whole commodities are minimally processed and altered in form by peeling, slicing, chopping, shredding, coring, or trimming, with or without washing, prior to being packaged for use by the consumer or a retail establishment or baking, bottling, canning, cooking, etc. (e.g., canned goods, pre-cut, packaged, ready-to-eat salad mixes).

 

Module 1

Applicable for all production areas and is the assessment of an operation’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The FSMS is a set of interrelated systems that when used in combination ensure that food is safe for human consumption. It incorporates, GAPs, GMPs/PRPs, GHPs, HACCP and other practices such as regulatory requirements and communication to ensure food safety is maintained.

 

Module 5 – GMP

Assessment of Good Manufacturing Practices for a Facility operation to mitigate potential and real risks. Key categories include, facility design and construction material, water supply, plumbing and toilet facilities, equipment and utensils, raw food handling and process controls, personal hygiene, pest control, and waste disposal.

 

Module 6 – HACCP

Assessment of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles used to identify, prevent, and control food safety hazards.

 

Module 7 – Preventive Controls *optional

Assessment of the operation’s FSMA Preventive Controls for Human or Animal Food Plan. Preventive controls minimize or prevent food safety hazards. These controls include, process, allergen, sanitation and other additional controls.

View documents

Storage & Distribution

This audit is meant for Storage, distribution, and/or logistics operations for the storage and transport of perishable or non-perishable food, feed, or packaging.
Note: any packing with labelling activities is excluded.

 

Module 1

Applicable for all production areas and is the assessment of an operation’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The FSMS is a set of interrelated systems that when used in combination ensure that food is safe for human consumption. It incorporates, GAPs, GMPs/PRPs, GHPs, HACCP and other practices such as regulatory requirements and communication to ensure food safety is maintained.

 

Module 5 – GMP

Assessment of Good Manufacturing Practices for a Facility operation to mitigate potential and real risks. Key categories include, facility design and construction material, water supply, plumbing and toilet facilities, equipment and utensils, raw food handling and process controls, personal hygiene, pest control, and waste disposal.

 

Module 6 – HACCP

Assessment of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles used to identify, prevent, and control food safety hazards.

View documents

PrimusGFS Training Events

News

This optional IPM module aims to verify commitments to pollinator health through the implementation of an IPM program. The score earned on Module 9 – IPM Practices is entirely separate from the food safety audit score, meaning it only enhances the overall audit without impacting your food safety certification.

Recognizing the market demand and leveraging valuable feedback from operations, Certification Bodies, and industry experts, Azzule has designed the PrimusGFS Grains and Pulses Standard to ensure the highest level of food safety in this category of important crops. The innovative module encompasses comprehensive coverage of applicable Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).

We’re excited to share that the FSMA Specific Summary Sub-Report is now conveniently accessible on every PrimusGFS audit report with a single click of a button! This powerful tool enables you to effortlessly showcase your compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations, specifically the Produce Safety Rule. Available in both English or Spanish for all PrimusGFS audits for the past two years, this report allows you to demonstrate your dedication to food safety while simplifying your journey to FDA compliance.

Top Performing Certification Program, Powered by Azzule

Azzule’s Certification Program Software allows Certification Program Managers unprecedented insight into their Certification Programs’ performance and complete control of certifying bodies and reporting via data and expert-driven Integrity Programs and analytics. Powered by Azzule, our partnering Certification Program are integrated directly into your Supply Chain Program for easy access for managing and meeting regulatory and customer compliance requirements.

PrimusGFS is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked and fully recognized Certification Program covering both Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) scopes, as well as Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). The GFSI recognition of the PrimusGFS Certification Program helps move the produce industry one step closer to the desired goal of global food safety harmonization. The PrimusGFS Certification Program covers the scope of the supply chain from pre- and to post- farm gate production and provides an integrated supply chain approach.

Primus Standard Audits (from the legacy of PrimusLabs GAP & GMP) is focused on the food safety of agricultural sector products (including horticultural, grains, and pulses) designated for human consumption. Primus Standard Audits establish a series of requirements for managing the production, handling, processing, and storing operations and provides an integrated supply chain approach.

IPM Institute of North America's Sustainable Food Group and the PrimusGFS and Azzule teams have created the Sustainability Standard in an effort to provide the best options for our clients and the industry.