Food grade certifications are third-party or regulatory approvals that confirm a warehouse meets specific food safety, sanitation, and quality management standards. The most relevant certifications for food and beverage brands evaluating a 3PL are FDA registration, SQF, BRC, HACCP, and AIB. Each verifies a different layer of food safety, and most credible food grade 3PLs hold more than one.
If you’re vetting a fulfillment partner for food, beverage, or supplement products, this guide breaks down what each certification actually covers and which ones matter most for your product type.
FDA Registration
FDA registration is the baseline requirement for any facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for consumption in the United States, as required under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). It is not the same as a certification, since it’s a regulatory registration rather than a third-party audit, but it’s the minimum standard every food grade 3PL should hold.
- What it covers: Facility registration with the FDA, subject to inspection
- Who needs it: Any facility handling food, beverage, or supplement products for U.S. distribution
- How to verify: Ask the 3PL for its FDA registration number directly
SQF Certification (Safe Quality Food)
SQF is a GFSI-benchmarked certification administered by the Safe Quality Food Institute. It requires facilities to pass an independent audit covering food safety systems, sanitation, pest control, and quality management.
- What it covers: Food safety management systems, sanitation programs, quality control processes
- Who needs it: Brands selling to retailers or distributors that require GFSI-recognized certification as a condition of doing business
- How to verify: Request the facility’s current SQF certificate and audit scope
BRC / BRCGS Certification
BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) is another GFSI-benchmarked certification, widely used in cold chain and retail-facing food logistics. Facilities are audited and graded AA, A, B, C, or D based on the number and severity of nonconformities found.
- What it covers: Storage and distribution practices, building standards, vehicle operations, quality management
- Who needs it: Brands working with retailers or distributors, particularly in cold chain and refrigerated categories, that require BRCGS as a vendor qualification standard
- How to verify: Ask for the facility’s most recent BRCGS grade and audit date
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
HACCP is a systematic approach to identifying and controlling food safety hazards at specific points in the storage and handling process, rather than a single certification a facility either has or doesn’t have. Many other certifications, including SQF and BRC, incorporate HACCP principles as part of their audit requirements.
- What it covers: Hazard identification and control at critical points in storage, handling, and distribution
- Who needs it: Any food grade facility, since HACCP principles underpin most food safety certification frameworks
- How to verify: Ask whether the facility’s food safety plan is HACCP-based and request documentation
AIB Certification
AIB International, formerly the American Institute of Baking, audits facility cleanliness, sanitation, and compliance with FSMA requirements. An AIB “superior” rating indicates the facility meets high standards for food industry best practices.
- What it covers: Facility cleanliness, pest control, sanitation program documentation
- Who needs it: Brands that want independent verification of day-to-day sanitation practices beyond a broader GFSI certification
- How to verify: Request the facility’s most recent AIB audit score and rating
Which Certifications Actually Matter for Your Brand
Not every brand needs every certification. Use this as a starting point:
- Shelf-stable CPG selling direct-to-consumer only: FDA registration is the minimum requirement; SQF or AIB adds credibility but may not be required by your channels
- Brands selling into major retailers: SQF or BRC is typically required as a vendor qualification standard
- Frozen or refrigerated products: BRCGS or SQF with cold chain scope, plus documented temperature monitoring
- Supplements and nutraceuticals: FDA registration is required; cGMP compliance is also worth confirming depending on product classification
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between FDA registration and a certification like SQF?
FDA registration is a regulatory requirement enforced by the government, while SQF and BRC are voluntary third-party certifications that involve independent audits of food safety practices beyond the regulatory minimum.
Do I need SQF and BRC, or just one?
Most facilities hold one primary GFSI-benchmarked certification, either SQF or BRC, rather than both. Which one matters depends on what your retail or distribution partners require as a vendor qualification standard.
Is HACCP a certification I should ask for by name?
HACCP is a food safety methodology rather than a standalone certification most facilities advertise separately. It’s more useful to ask whether the facility’s food safety plan is HACCP-based, since this underpins most other certifications.
How often are food grade certifications audited?
Most GFSI-benchmarked certifications like SQF and BRC require annual audits, with unannounced audits becoming more common across the industry to ensure facilities stay in compliance year-round.
What happens if a 3PL loses its certification?
A lapsed or downgraded certification should trigger an immediate conversation with your 3PL about corrective actions. Ask about their audit history and any nonconformities found in past inspections before signing a contract.
Conclusion
Food grade certifications tell you whether a 3PL has been independently verified for food safety, not just self-reported. FDA registration is the floor, and certifications like SQF, BRC, and AIB show a facility has gone further. ShipCalm’s FDA-registered fulfillment centers are built with the sanitation, temperature control, and traceability standards food and beverage brands need to pass retail and marketplace audits. Contact ShipCalm to review certification details for your product category.
