Japan GAP Foundation

Two New CPOs – JFSM & JGF – Achieve Recognition Against GFSI Benchmarking Requirements

PARIS, 15th November 2018 – The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the two newest certificate programme owners (CPOs) to achieve recognition against Version 7.1 of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements are the Japan Food Safety Management Association (JFSM) and the Japan GAP Foundation (JGF).

It was with much delight that GFSI received an application for benchmarking from JFSM and JGF, who put their programmes forward for assessment against the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements for the first time this year. This followed GFSI’s publishing of Version 7.1 in 2017, inviting all new and previously recognised certificate programme owners (CPOs) to complete a new benchmarking assessment as part of its objective to continually evolve its benchmarking requirements to reflect new industry challenges, best practices and stakeholder input.

Founded in 2016, JFSM aims to establish and manage food safety management standards and certification programmes, while developing human resources to promote food safety and secure its trust in the food industry. JFSM has achieved GFSI recognition for Processing of Ambient Stable Products (E IV).

Incorporated in 2015 after its founding in 2006, JGF continually works to develop GAP as a farm management norm and aims to disseminate GAP standards to agricultural producers worldwide while contributing to economic development through the realisation of production safety, environmental conservation, and sustainable agriculture. JGF has achieved GFSI recognition for Farming of Plants (B I), Farming of Grains and Pulses (B II), and Pre-process Handling of Plant Products (D).

Through the benchmarking process, JFSM and JGF were able to confirm that their programmes aligned with the Benchmarking Requirements. This collaborative exercise is one of the key ways in which GFSI ensures that new requirements are implemented throughout the industry and to drive continuous improvement in food safety management practices in the global supply chain.

Reacting to the good news, Tokuji Nishitani, President of JFSM, said, “Recognition of our original programme, JFS-C, through GFSI’s benchmarking process is a big step forward for JFSM. We are committed to our pursuit of food safety as the cornerstone of our unique Japanese food culture washoku and to continuously support GFSI through the delivery of safe food worldwide”.

Delighted with their achievement, Shunichi Matsui, President of JGF, said, “It is our great honour and pleasure to learn that ASIAGAP has achieved GFSI-recognition. We at JGF further devote ourselves to contributing towards sustainable agriculture and food safety in Asia through the ASIAGAP platform, a user-friendly programme also accessible to smaller farms. We look forward to nurturing our collaboration as part of the GFSI family”.

Congratulations to both JFSM and JGF on their achievement and for their work towards driving safe food for consumers, everywhere.