Every fish and seafood importer should have certain food safety and food quality certifications.

Food ends up on the plates of billions of people around the world – from children to elderly consumers. Everyone depend on food being safe, traceable and produced under the right conditions. For companies like Lenk, food safety goes far beyond simply buying and selling a product. It starts with knowing where a product comes from, how it is produced and handled, and whether suppliers work according to the required food-safety and quality standards.

Imagine a world without clear requirements for hygiene, traceability, cross-contamination, packaging and food handling. It would be difficult for buyers to assess whether a supplier could consistently deliver safe and reliable products. That is where food-safety and quality-management standards come in.

What are the main certifications?
There are several internationally recognised standards that companies in the food industry can work with. Some of the well-known are BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001. Which certification is most relevant depends on a company’s activities, its role in the supply chain and the requirements of its customers.

BRCGS
BRCGS is a globally recognised food-safety standard that is widely used by food manufacturers, processors, storage and distribution companies. It is particularly common among companies supplying large retailers and foodservice organisations.

IFS
IFS, or International Featured Standards, is another widely recognised family of standards for food safety and quality. IFS Food is commonly used by food manufacturers, while IFS Broker is specifically relevant to companies that buy and sell products without physically handling them which is the case at Lenk.

FSSC 22000
FSSC 22000 is a food-safety management certification scheme based on ISO 22000, combined with sector-specific prerequisite programmes and additional FSSC requirements. It focuses on managing food-safety risks throughout the food supply chain.

ISO 9001
ISO 9001 focuses on quality management rather than food safety specifically. It provides a framework for managing processes, customer requirements, responsibilities, continuous improvement and consistency within an organisation. For a sourcing company like Lenk, where management plays a crucial role, having ISO 9001 is a must as it demonstrates that quality management is embedded in the wider organisation.

One size does not fit all
An important point is that these standards are not interchangeable, and the most suitable certification depends on what a company does. A food manufacturer that processes raw materials has different food-safety risks from a company that sources products from approved suppliers and arranges their sale to customers without physically handling the goods. For such companies like Lenk, IFS Broker – which focusses on the management of products and suppliers, is the right standard. The IFS Broker standard includes areas such as supplier approval, product specifications, traceability, customer requirements, risk management and quality assurance. Whether a company’s management system and processes meet the requirements of the relevant standard, is regularly assessed by an independent auditor.

Certification is only part of the picture
Besides certification, importers also have legal responsibilities relating to the products they place on the market. Depending on the product and country of origin, this can include requirements around approved suppliers, traceability, documentation, labelling and import controls. As an international sourcing partner in frozen fish and seafood with an in-house quality management team, we also take care of this part of the supply chain. We select and evaluate suppliers, check certifications, documentation and correct labelling, and constantly monitor quality to make sure products meet the requirements of our customers and their markets. It’s simply part of the way we work. Curious about the certifications we possess? Have a look here.

27.10.2026