What is BRCGS Plant – Based Certification?
BRCGS Plant-Based Standard is for Plant-Based food. This is defined as a finished product consisting of ingredients derived from plants that include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and/or legumes.
We are all becoming conscious of what we are eating and our impact on the environment. The trend towards Plant-Based diets is vastly increasing. The plant-based food category has experienced double-digit growth year over year.
The BRCGS Plant-Based food standard makes it easy for consumers to choose sustainable alternatives to meat, egg and dairy products.
This standard is based on a comprehensive management system approach and provides a framework for manufacturers to assist them in the production of plant-based food. It includes operational criteria required to be in place to ensure that plant-based products are free of material of animal origin.
Even the most knowledgable consumer may unknowingly consume animal products or ingredients. This is due to the challenge of correctly identifying animal containing ingredients based on product labelling information alone.
Many consumers are flexitarian or doing Meatless Mondays for health, the environment or animal welfare. Manufacturers certified to the BRCGS Plant-Based Food standard provide assurance that these products fit their dietary needs.
This standard reduces the risks associated with relying solely on end-product animal input testing and complements GFSI-benchmarked standards.
Requirements cover:
- Senior Management Commitment
- The Food Safety Plan-HACCP
- PBMS Maintenance & Reassessment
- Documentation & records
- Internal Audits
- Supplier and Ingredients / Inputs Approval and Performance Monitoring
- Ingredient and Input Receipt and Acceptance
- Suppliers of Services
- Specifications
- Traceability
- Complaint Handling
- Product Recall and Withdrawal
- Product Development
- Approval and Control of Labels
- Product Authenticity, Claims and Chain of Custody
- Marketing Claims
- Cross-Contamination Control
- Control of Recipes and Formulations
- Segregation and Disposal of Obsolete and Waste Material
- Plant-based Awareness Training
How Can BRCGS Consultants help us?
Our Consultants are specialists trained in the requirements of the standard, HACCP and TACCP/VACCP. In addition, our Consultants are here to help those who feel they require support. Their wealth of experience and hands-on approach makes our service desirable to those that want extra support.
Your dedicated Consultant holds your hand through the process. They ensure that you have all of the necessary policies, processes, and procedures in place. But, then, it is equally important you get generating the records!
BRCGS Consultants are passionate in ensuring that the management system adopted by your business is streamlined and fit for purpose. All management systems are bespoke to you organisation and tailored to your requirements as much as possible.
Why should we use Global QA to help us gain Certification?
Global QA Consultants provide services for BRCGS Plant-Based Certification. However, we cannot issue you with your Certificate. A nominated certification body does this on behalf of BRCGS. It is up to you to nominate the Certification Body. Our Consultants can assist you with obtaining quotes. Your consultant will work with you throughout the process. In addition, your Consultant is responsible for advising you of the requirements and producing your documented management system. GQA has a 100% success rate in implementing this standard and as a result, provides a 100% guarantee or success.
Click here to learn more about the Plant-Based Standard.
In addition, you can download a copy of the standard here.
Click here to contact us for more information or to arrange a no obligation meeting. It is preferred that our Business Development Manager comes to your site to understand your requirements. This is free of charge.