Food Safety Consultant | Certify Consulting

Expert Guidance

What Does a Food Safety Consultant Do?

A food safety consultant helps food companies implement and maintain food safety management systems that meet regulatory requirements and industry certification standards. From developing HACCP plans and prerequisite programs to preparing for third-party audits, a food safety consultant ensures your operations protect consumers and your brand.

At Certify Consulting, we provide comprehensive food safety consulting services that cover all major GFSI-recognized certification schemes. Whether you need your first food safety certification or want to upgrade to a more rigorous standard, we guide you through every step of the process.

HACCP Plan Development

Hazard analysis, critical control points, monitoring, corrective actions, and verification procedures.

Prerequisite Programs

GMPs, sanitation, pest control, allergen management, supplier approval, and environmental monitoring.

Documentation Systems

Policies, procedures, work instructions, forms, and records management tailored to your standard.

Training & Education

Food safety training for your team — from frontline workers to management and designated practitioners.

Internal Audits

Internal audit programs, mock certification audits, and corrective action follow-up to ensure audit readiness.

Certification Audit Support

On-site support during your certification audit. We coordinate with the CB and ensure a smooth experience.

Comprehensive Coverage

Food Safety Standards We Support

We provide expert consulting for all major GFSI-recognized food safety certification schemes. Click any standard to learn more about our specific services.

SQF Certification

Safe Quality Food program — GFSI-recognized food safety and quality management system. Levels 1-3. Required by Walmart, Costco, and other major North American retailers.

Learn more about SQF →

BRC/BRCGS Certification

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety — GFSI-recognized. Widely required by UK and European retailers. Grading system from AA to D.

Learn more about BRC →

HACCP Certification

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points — the foundational food safety system required by regulators worldwide and a prerequisite for all GFSI schemes.

Learn more about HACCP →

FSSC 22000 Certification

Food Safety System Certification 22000 — ISO-based GFSI scheme popular internationally, especially in food ingredients and processing sectors.

Learn more about FSSC 22000 →

GFSI Consulting

Global Food Safety Initiative guidance — helping you understand GFSI benchmarking and choose the right GFSI-recognized certification for your business.

Learn more about GFSI →

ISO 22000 Certification

International food safety management system standard. ISO-based framework that integrates HACCP principles with management system requirements.

Learn more about ISO 22000 →

Your Consultant

Jared Clark — Your Food Safety Expert

Jared Clark brings extensive experience in food safety management systems, GFSI-recognized certification schemes, and regulatory compliance. With hands-on experience in food manufacturing environments and a deep understanding of what auditors look for, Jared has helped over 200 companies achieve food safety certification on their first attempt.

His approach is practical and results-oriented — building food safety systems that are not only audit-ready but genuinely effective at protecting consumers and your brand. No unnecessary complexity, no cookie-cutter templates.

CFSQA — Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor

CPGP — Certified Professional in GMP

CMQ/OE — Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence

Food manufacturing industry experience

200+ successful certification projects across all major food safety standards

Jared Clark

Food Safety & Certification Expert

200+

Clients

100%

Pass Rate

A to Z

Service

Our Proven Process

Our Approach

A structured, proven methodology adapted for food safety certification. We handle every step so you can focus on running your business.

1

Gap Assessment

Comprehensive evaluation of your current food safety systems against the requirements of your target certification standard.

2

HACCP & Food Safety Plans

Development of your HACCP-based food safety plan, hazard analysis, critical control points, and monitoring procedures.

3

Prerequisite Programs

GMPs, sanitation, pest control, allergen management, supplier approval, and all required prerequisite programs.

4

Documentation

Complete food safety management system documentation — policies, SOPs, forms, and records tailored to your operations.

5

Implementation

Hands-on implementation support, validation of food safety controls, and verification that your system is working effectively.

6

Training

Comprehensive food safety training for your team. From food handlers to management, everyone understands their role.

7

Internal Audits

Full internal audit program and mock certification audit so you go into your official audit with confidence.

8

Certification Audit Support

On-site support during your certification audit. We coordinate with the certification body and ensure a smooth experience.

Common Questions

Food Safety Certification FAQ

Which food safety certification do I need?

The right food safety certification depends on your customers, target markets, and industry. If you supply major North American retailers like Walmart or Costco, SQF is often the preferred choice. If you export to the UK or European markets, BRC/BRCGS is typically required. FSSC 22000 is widely accepted internationally and is popular in the ingredient and food processing sectors. HACCP certification is a foundational requirement for most food businesses. We recommend scheduling a free consultation so we can review your specific situation.

How do I choose between SQF, BRC, and FSSC 22000?

All three are GFSI-recognized food safety certification schemes, so they are broadly equivalent in terms of credibility. The choice typically depends on customer requirements and geographic focus. SQF is dominant in the North American retail market. BRC/BRCGS is the standard of choice for UK and many European retailers. FSSC 22000 is popular internationally, especially in food ingredients, processing, and manufacturing. Some companies hold multiple certifications to serve different markets. Contact us for a personalized recommendation.

How long does food safety certification take?

Timelines vary by standard and your current readiness. HACCP: 1–3 months. SQF: 3–6 months. BRC: 3–8 months. FSSC 22000: 4–8 months. Companies with existing food safety systems can often move faster. Our structured approach is designed to get you audit-ready as efficiently as possible while building a sustainable food safety management system.

Do you work with small food businesses?

Absolutely. We work with food companies of all sizes, from small artisan producers to large-scale food manufacturers. For smaller businesses, we often recommend starting with HACCP certification or SQF Level 1 (Food Safety Fundamentals) as a cost-effective entry point into formal food safety certification. As your business grows and customer requirements evolve, we can help you scale up to more comprehensive certifications like SQF Level 2, BRC, or FSSC 22000.

Explore specific food safety certifications:

Food Safety Hub | SQF Consultant | BRC Consultant

Ready to Get Food Safety Certified?

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation. We'll assess your current food safety systems, recommend the right certification for your business, and outline a clear path forward — no obligation.

Schedule Free Consultation Call 858-240-4353

Or email us at [email protected]