Understanding the Difference Between Food Regulations and Industry Standards
In today’s complex food landscape, businesses must navigate a mix of legal requirements and voluntary industry standards to ensure food safety, quality, and market access. While both serve to protect consumers and manage risk, food regulations and industry standards are fundamentally different in their purpose, enforcement, and scope. Understanding the distinction is essential for compliance, operational efficiency, and global trade.
Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2023. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System. Rome: FAO. Available at: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexstandards/haccp/en/ [Accessed 17 November 2025].
Government of South Africa, 1972. Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972). Available at: https://www.gov.za/documents/foodstuffs-cosmetics-and-disinfectants-act-0 [Accessed 17 November 2025].
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 2018. ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management Systems. Available at: https://www.iso.org/iso-22000-food-safety-management.html [Accessed 17 November 2025].
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2025. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) & Food Code. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food [Accessed 17 November 2025].
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), 2024. Benchmarking & Schemes. Brussels: GFSI. Available at: https://mygfsi.com/ [Accessed 17 November 2025].
European Union, 2002. Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32002R0178 [Accessed 17 November 2025].
BRCGS, 2024. Food Safety Certification Standards. Available at: https://www.brcgs.com/ [Accessed 17 November 2025].
Related Posts
Leave a Reply
- Trending
- Comments
- Latest
Our platform brings together food producers, manufacturers, retailers, hospitality professionals, and everyday consumers who care about quality and compliance.