Packaging company International Paper's US corrugated packaging container plants servicing food product customers will soon become Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certified.
The certification will be measured against the International Featured Standards (IFS) PACsecure Standard.
The IFS PACsecure Standard is a collaboration between IFS Management and The Packaging Consortium (PAC) that has been formed to identify the hazards related to common packaging manufacturing processes.
The company said that that certification had been developed with the help of inputs from 130 food processors and packaging material converters to meet the product safety needs of its customers.
The US-based Food Safety Alliance for Packaging (FSAP) which includes many food packaging companies has also accepted PACsecure.
IP's manager, product safety and compliance Ed Hughes said: "All materials that are part of the food supply chain, including food packaging and contact materials, can significantly influence food safety.
"With food safety regulations becoming more and more rigorous, customers and consumers can have the peace of mind that one more portion in the supply chain has taken extra steps to safeguard the product."
As per the GFSI certification, companies are required to assure food safety by applying the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) principles specific to food packaging.
International Paper is currently being audited by an independent third-party team to ensure that the materials used in its corrugated packaging products adhere to the standards of the food industry and are safe.
IFS managing director Stephan Tromp said: "International Paper's selection of IFS PACsecure shows that the standard delivers the program necessary for the world's packaging manufacturers to achieve their goals and meet the needs of their customers.
"At IFS we are pleased that we deliver standards that help industry achieve their goals and deliver safe, quality products."
