Understanding Food BRC, AIB, and SQF Certifications for FIBC Bags

Why Food Certifications Matter for Bulk Bags

Food safety is critical in the packaging industry, especially when dealing with Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) used to transport food products. To maintain safety and quality, food packaging must comply with BRC, AIB, and SQF certifications—industry standards that protect consumers and businesses alike.

This guide breaks down the differences between these certifications, why they matter, and how to choose the right food-grade bulk bags that comply with safety regulations.

What Is BRC?

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is a globally recognized standard that ensures food packaging meets high safety and hygiene standards. It was developed to regulate packaging materials and prevent contamination during food storage and transportation.

Key Takeaways About BRC:

• BRC certification guarantees compliance with food safety laws.
• It is part of the GFSI standard, making it widely accepted.
• Manufacturers and retailers prefer BRC-certified packaging to avoid contamination risks.

What Does BRCGS Stand For?

BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) is an internationally recognized food safety certification program. It ensures companies maintain strict quality control for food-grade packaging and manufacturing processes.

AIB, SQF, and GFSI: Understanding Other Food Safety Standards

While BRCGS is a leading food packaging certification, other important food safety programs include AIB, SQF, and GFSI.

1. AIB (American Institute of Baking)

• A U.S.-based certification ensuring hygiene, pest control, and facility maintenance in food production and packaging facilities.
• Assesses compliance with sanitation regulations and food safety risks.
• AIB audits include GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) inspections and facility cleanliness assessments.
• Used widely by bakeries, food processing plants, and packaging suppliers.

2. SQF (Safe Quality Food)

• A GFSI standard that prioritizes food safety management through risk assessment.
• Requires businesses to maintain a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan.
• Focuses on preventing foodborne illnesses and contamination.
• SQF has three certification levels, where higher levels require strict regulatory compliance.
• Often compared as BRC vs SQF, where BRC focuses on product quality, and SQF prioritizes food safety risks.

3. GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative)

• A benchmarking system that recognizes multiple food safety standards, including BRC, SQF, and FSSC 22000.
• Standardizes best practices for food safety worldwide, ensuring consistent regulations.
• Helps businesses choose globally accepted food safety certifications.
• GFSI certification is required by major retailers and food manufacturers.

Why Food-Grade Certification Matters for FIBC Bags

Food-grade FIBC bulk bags must meet strict sanitary and safety standards to prevent contamination, protect consumers, and comply with food regulations. Choosing BRC, AIB, or SQF-certified bulk bags ensures: 

• Regulatory compliance – Prevents legal penalties and ensures alignment with GFSI standard requirements for safe food handling.
• Quality assurance – Verifies that bulk bags meet food-grade certification by ensuring they are made from 100% virgin polypropylene, free from harmful contaminants.
• Consumer protection – Reduces the risk of contaminated food products, maintaining food integrity and safety during storage and transport.
• Trust from suppliers and retailers – Many businesses require certified bulk bags as part of their food safety supply chain strategy to ensure compliance and quality consistency.

What Is BRC Certified?

A BRC-certified facility follows strict food safety protocols to ensure that packaging materials meet high standards. These requirements include: 

• Hygienic manufacturing practices. 
• Traceability of materials.
•  Pest control and contamination prevention. 
• HACCP implementation.

How to Get BRC Certification

1. Facility Inspection – Independent auditors conduct a thorough assessment of the manufacturing facility, checking for compliance with BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, including hygiene, contamination control, and traceability procedures.
2. Regulatory Compliance – The manufacturer must meet BRCGS food safety standards, ensuring all raw materials, storage conditions, and production methods adhere to strict quality protocols.
3. Certification Approval – Once all safety and regulatory requirements are met, the facility is awarded official BRC certification, valid for a specific period and subject to periodic re-evaluation to maintain compliance.

What Does It Mean to Stand Food Safety in Packaging?

Food-grade FIBC bulk bags must be manufactured under BRC or SQF-certified conditions. This means:

✔ 100% virgin polypropylene materials – Prevents contamination by ensuring bags are made from non-recycled, high-quality resin.

✔ FDA-approved food contact standards – Meets stringent regulations for direct food contact and prevents chemical leaching.

✔ Sanitary production processes – Includes strict hygiene protocols such as HEPA filtration, controlled environments, and metal detection to eliminate contamination risks.

✔ Quality control testing – Each batch undergoes rigorous inspections, including pressure testing, visual inspection, and microbiological analysis to verify compliance with food safety standards.

How to Identify Uncertified Bulk Bags

Using uncertified bulk bags can pose significant risks, including food contamination, product recalls, and legal penalties. Here’s how to spot them:

❌ No BRC, SQF, or AIB certification labels – Always check for verifiable certification from reputable food safety organizations.

❌ Made with recycled or non-food-safe materials – Some low-quality bags contain harmful residues that can compromise food integrity.

❌ No traceability of raw materials, production, or quality control checks – Lack of transparency makes it difficult to ensure safety compliance.

❌ Inadequate sanitation measures – Non-certified bags may be produced in facilities without proper hygiene, pest control, or contamination prevention strategies.

To avoid these risks, only source bulk bags from certified suppliers who provide official certification documents and have a track record of compliance with GFSI standard requirements.

BRC vs. SQF: Which Certification Is Right for You?

Both BRC and SQF certifications are recognized globally, but they serve different purposes:

Feature	BRC Certification	SQF Certification
Focus	Product quality and safety	Food safety management systems
Region	UK, Europe, Global	USA, Canada, Global
Best for	Retailers & Packaging Suppliers	Food manufacturers & processors
Compliance	Often mandatory for food packaging	Flexible levels of certification

Which One Should You Choose?

• If you need high-quality food-safe bulk bags, BRC certification is recommended.
• If you require comprehensive food safety management, SQF certification may be a better choice.

Final Thoughts

If your business operates in the food sector, certifications like BRC, AIB, and SQF aren’t optional—they’re your guarantee of quality, safety, and compliance. From certified bulk bags to strict hygiene protocols, these certifications help ensure food remains safe from producer to plate.

Discover how Xifa Group leads the way in certified food packaging solutions. Learn more about our capabilities or explore our BRCGS certification to see our commitment to quality and safety.