• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Ingredient Brothers

Ingredient Brothers

Importer of Specialty Raw Ingredients

When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to go to the desired page. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.
  • Products
    • Bulk Coconut
      • Bulk Coconut Aminos
      • Bulk Coconut Butter
      • Bulk Coconut Cream
      • Bulk Coconut Flour
      • Bulk Coconut Meat
      • Bulk Coconut Milk
      • Bulk Coconut Oil
      • Bulk Coconut Sweeteners
      • Bulk Coconut Water
      • Bulk Desiccated Coconut
    • Bulk Fruit & Veg
      • Bulk Air Dried Fruit & Veg
      • Bulk Freeze Dried Fruit & Veg
      • Bulk Spray Dried Fruit & Veg
      • Bulk Drum Dried Fruit & Veg
    • Bulk Nuts & Seeds
    • Bulk Flours & Starches
    • Bulk Herbs & Spices
      • Bulk Herbs
      • Bulk Spices
    • Bulk Pulses
    • Bulk Fats & Oils
    • Bulk Grains
    • Bulk Plant Based Proteins
    • Bulk Fungis
    • Bulk Additives
    • Bulk Sweeteners
    • Bulk Halal Ingredients
    • Bulk Kosher Ingredients
    • Bulk Organic Ingredients
      • Bulk Organic Coconut Products
      • Bulk Organic Seeds
      • Bulk Organic Sweeteners
    • Bulk Vegan Ingredients
    • Bulk Private Label
      • Bulk Spices
      • Bulk Coconut
        • Bulk Coconut Milk
  • About Us
  • Why Us?
  • Blog
    • BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard
    • Wholesale Insights Hub
    • Importation Insights Hub
    • News
    • Learning
    • USDA Regulations
    • Podcasts
    • Forbes
    • Press
    • All Articles
  • Bulk Product List
  • Contact
  • When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to go to the desired page. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.
BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard

BRCGS: Why Do Only 22 US Brokers And Agents Have It (and Ingredient Brothers is one of them!)?

Avatar photo

by Agustina Branz · November 2, 2023

BRC Logo plus "Certificated"

What do agents and brokers bring to the global food distribution chain? Without them, supermarkets would look like the ones in apocalypse movies, mostly empty shelves. You know what’s just as scary? A world where agents and brokers didn’t have to be certified by national and global food standards authorities. In that world, shoppers would have no idea what foods were safe to eat. 

BRCGS Agents and Brokers are accepted or requested by 70% of the top 10 global retailers. It’s a way for bulk wholesale buyers to check their suppliers’ suitability. It also protects brand reputation and opens revenue opportunities by connecting agents and brokers to food service companies that adhere to the highest food safety standards.

But achieving it is no small feat for agents and brokers. 

What is BRCGS Agents and Brokers certification?

It’s a globally recognized framework for managing product safety, quality, and legality. It is the benchmark for agents’ and brokers’ best practices in distribution chains.

The certification is designed for companies that buy, sell, or facilitate the trade of products but do not manufacture, process, or store the products in their facilities or on their sites. It covers the following categories: food products, including raw materials, processed foods, and fruit and vegetables; packaging materials – primary, secondary, and tertiary materials, and raw materials for manufacturing packaging materials; pet foods for domestic animals; and consumer products. 

Why aren’t more US brokers and agents certified?

BRCGS certification is notoriously tricky for non-manufacturing traders and is widely considered the global food safety standardization benchmark. Preparing for the +300 safety and quality audit requires a minimum of three months (but count on doubling that).  

This can drain teams and finances, and the pressures it applies to daily operations may be why so few agents and brokers have proactively invested in the resources needed to become BRCGS certified. Let’s explore the others.

1. High upfront costs – and it snowballs

Getting your foot in the door of the BRCGS certification program begins at $13,000. The costs can spiral from there depending on whether your product safety and quality management system is up to BRC standards. Companies with a mid-sized team across multiple continents can also expect costs to head northwards. (We can attest to that.)

2. Lack of commitment from management

Talking about costs, inevitable challenges will emerge while preparing for the audit. Senior management who don’t make the time to engage with them creates a domino effect that can draw out the process. Passing the audit requires a pinpoint allocation of resources to troubleshoot without delay. 

3. Complexity of the standard

BRCGS involves hundreds of requirements related to food safety and quality standards for non-manufacturing businesses in the food, packaging, and consumer products industries. Agents and brokers may need to change their quality management system supplier operations to meet the standards, which can lead to senior management perceiving it as a commitment hazard.  

4. The BRCGS audit is no joke

BRCGS has audited and approved over 28,000 food suppliers in over 130 countries worldwide since 1998. Right now, including Ingredient Brothers, only 22 US food brokers and agents have been certified. Why so few? It could be because the audit involves a checklist over 300 points long. If it sounds easy, compiling the documentation to prove compliance can take hundreds of hours. 

5. Not a once-off deal

A control feature of the framework is that the certification body can visit a certificated company at any stage to ensure standards are being upheld. This may arise through receiving further information, such as a complaint from a company customer, and a charge may be made for subsequent visits or investigations. Exposing a company to more risk can sound like a crazy idea. 

6. Lack of awareness of the standard

There may be a lack of perceived need for this certification in the US since there are so many global food standards. However, there are only two agents and brokers standards: IFS Broker (not yet GFSI-recognized standard but follows the same standard) and BRCGS Agents and Brokers (which is GFSI-recognized

Wrapping up

Board with "best practices" written on it

BRCGS certification for Agents and Brokers provides a critical link for maintaining an effective chain of traceability. While challenges exist in gaining compliance, the benefits—from supply chain assurance to risk reduction—are substantial. 

As organizations continue to recognize the value of BRCGS certification, the path to safer, higher-quality products becomes increasingly clear. If you’re looking for a BRCGS-certified agent or broker,  contact us! And don’t forget to check out our wide variety of products here!

BRCGS FAQ: 

What is the BRCGS certification?

BRCGS certification is an international food safety standard proving a company’s obsession with industry best practices in the food and beverage industry. Fun fact: BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers is the only GFSI-recognised standard designed for companies operating as agents or brokers in the food supply chain.

What does the BRCGS standard stand for?

BRCGS stands for British Retail Consortium Global Standard. The organization based in London provides international standards on quality and safety across industries using protocols and guidelines. Those guidelines are crucial to preserving the health and safety of food supplies from consumers to brands and consumers alike.

What are the benefits of BRCGS certification?

  • It helps businesses improve their food safety practices and reduce the risk of foodborne illness
  • It can help businesses build customer confidence and loyalty by demonstrating their commitment to food safety
  • BRCGS certification is recognized by many retailers and food service companies, which can help businesses gain access to new markets and sell their products to more customers 
  • It can help businesses reduce costs by preventing food recalls and other food safety incidents 
  • The certification is aligned with international food safety regulations, which can help businesses comply with the requirements of regulators and avoid fines or penalties

What are the requirements for BRCGS certification?

To obtain BRCGS certification, agents and brokers in the food industry must meet several requirements. 

  • Having a documented food safety and management system (FSMS) in place
  • Maintaining accurate records
  • Training employees on food safety
  • Establishing a recall and withdrawal program
  • Handling of customer complaints
  • A traceability and internal audit procedure
  • Establishing food safety plans
  • Food authenticity and Food defense programs
  • Verification programs, 
  • Supplier and service provider management programs
  • Document and records control

What’s the difference between BRCGS and FSMA?

FSMA and BRCGS are essential food safety regulations but differ in scope, approach, enforcement, requirements, and auditing. While FSMA is a US law that applies to all food products sold in the US, BRCGS is a global standard for food manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. BRCGS certification can complement the requirements of FSMA and provide additional benefits, such as access to international markets, enhanced brand reputation, improved safety, compliance with distributor requirements, and reduced risk of recalls.

Share this!

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Avatar photo

Agustina Branz

Chief of Staff

LinkedIn

Agus is a curious person who seeks to learn and add value in each project in which she’s involved. Since earning her Business Economics degree, Agus has been working on business development in different industries (finance, fashion, agro, metal cards and now ingredients!) in Argentina, UK and US. She believes in the power of virtuous ecosystems and collaboration. As Chief of Staff, Agus works closely the executive team members on the strategic planning & execution processes. Fun fact: Agus loves sailing, running, skiing, and singing!

View All Articles

You Might Also Like

a golden star with five stars on it
BRC certification: Guidance for US Bulk Wholesale Importers
a computer keyboard with the word protection on it
How does BRC Certification Protect Imported Ingredients? (and Wholesale Buyers)
"what you need to know" sign
5 Things You Need to Know about BRCGS for Brokers and Agents

Primary Sidebar

Ingredient Brothers

Your #1 source of specialty ingredients

We source and import high-quality specialty raw ingredients through our large global network. Experience the difference.

Contact Us
Schedule A Call

Let’s Keep in Touch

Subscribe for the latest Ingredient Brothers updates and happenings.

Privacy Policy

Our Clients Include

nuts.com, Plated, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, Simply Gum, Carlo's Bakr Shop

Company

  • About Us
  • Why Us?
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • LinkedIn
  • Contact Us
  • Schedule a Call

Products

  • Additives
  • Coconut
  • Fruit & Veg
  • Nuts & Seeds
  • Plant Based Protein
  • Sweeteners
  • Halal
  • Kosher
  • Organic
  • Vegan

Subscribe

Privacy Policy

© 2023 · Ingredient Brothers · Terms · Privacy · Accessibility

Let’s Keep in Touch

Subscribe for the latest Ingredient Brothers updates and happenings.

Privacy Policy