There is increased demand for gluten-free products in India via retail, quick service, and export routes, and buyers in the EU, US, and Gulf regions are requesting evidence of gluten management from Indian suppliers. The BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification is the internationally accepted evidence of gluten-free management. This post highlights what BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification entails, who should go for it, and how Indian food firms obtain certification.
Indian food producers involved in exporting flour, snacks, cereals, and bakery products are competing increasingly with those from other countries for shelf space for their products. A claim about gluten-free status without any independent verification is likely not to mean much to an international buyer, and the majority of retail contracts today include BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification as a pre-qualification requirement instead of an add-on one. Having knowledge of what the standard entails, its audit procedure, and the continuous controls it demands will make a firm prepared for obtaining certification as a matter of routine.
What Is BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification
BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification Scheme is a product safety certification scheme issued by BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) which confirms that the site has control measures to prevent gluten contamination in the manufacturing, storage, and packaging process. The BRCGS Gluten Free Certification Scheme is an extension of the BRCGS Food Safety Certification Scheme, and therefore a site possesses both certifications.
The standard focuses on:
- Separation of ingredients containing gluten and those without gluten
- Procedures to clean and changeover during processing runs
- Approval of raw materials and suppliers for gluten-free status
- Testing of ingredients against threshold levels of gluten
- Labeling and verification of claims
- Traceability of ingredients and allergen controls
The BRCGS Gluten-Free Standard criteria are applied in addition to the pre-existing HACCP food safety management system of the organization; hence, an organization will need to apply for BRCGS Gluten Free Certification along with its existing system. The certification organization checks if the gluten control system is incorporated into the production decisions, not merely on paper, by conducting interviews of production staff members and physically inspecting segregated facilities.
BRCGS Gluten-Free Standard vs BRCGS Food Safety Certification
The following table provides details on how the two certifications are linked.
Who Needs BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification in India
Requirements for Gluten-Free Certification India arise largely from manufacturers/exporters operating in those markets where gluten-free labeling holds legal significance. In effect, the following organizations seek BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification:
- Producers of gluten-free flours, atta, and multigrain mixes
- Exporters of bakery products, snack foods, and breakfast cereals
- Oat and millet processors for global retail brands
- Custom food manufacturers and private label food manufacturers
- Suppliers of ingredients (starches, flours, food additives) to gluten-free products
- Health food companies with gluten-free labeling
Domestically produced products are also beginning to be certified as the awareness among consumers increases in India, along with the development of separate sections of stores by modern retail companies that carry gluten-free products. There is no need for a company to export in order to get certified. If an organization places a gluten-free claim on its product pack in India, it will have legal and reputation liabilities in relation to this claim, which may be proved through BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification.
This table shows how business types relate to the reasons why certification becomes necessary.
Key Requirements Under the BRCGS Gluten-Free Standard
Certification bodies evaluate a site based on several basic requirements:
- Gluten management program documenting raw material, processing, and packaging processes
- Physical or procedural separation of areas handling gluten versus gluten free products
- Validation of cleaning procedures and confirmation of cleanup using swabs or ELISA after changeovers
- Routine analysis of final product to validate against the specified gluten threshold
- Suppliers’ list of gluten status confirmed for all ingredients received
- Training of employees on cross-contact hazards and allergens management
- Product label review procedure to validate claims against analyzed values
These requirements are expected by auditors to interact with each other within a system, and not just be individual points in a checklist. Supplier declaration will only have relevance when checked with material inspection at entry point, and cleaning validation will make sense when the changeover schedule tested against it still reflects the process on the shop floor.
Documents Required for BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification
The certification authorities need a set of documents before planning an audit. These documents include the following:
- Guide to food safety and HACCP program for all products, including gluten-free items
- Gluten management program outlining details on segregation, changeover, and cleaning protocols
- Supplier approval documentation including information on the gluten content of all raw materials
- Cleanliness verification documents (including swabs and ELISA test results)
- Final product testing documents against gluten content declaration
- Training documentation for employees about allergens and gluten contamination
- Label approval documentation based on test results prior to printing
Common Challenges in Achieving BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification
Most non-conformities that emerge during BRCGS Gluten-Free audits fit in a few categories:
- Shared equipment or storage areas without adequate physical or procedural segregation
- Cleaning procedures that are documented but not consistently followed or verified
- Incomplete supplier declarations for minor ingredients such as flavorings or coatings
- Testing frequency that does not match production volume or changeover frequency
- Label claims that were finalized before the corresponding test results were reviewed
Identifying these issues at the gap analysis and internal audit stages and not waiting for the issues to arise at the certification stage helps to ensure that the process runs smoothly and there is no need for follow-up visits.
How to Get BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification in India
The process of obtaining BRCGS Gluten Free Certification is a well-defined process. Most food businesses in India follow the following process.
Cost and Timeline for BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification
The cost and duration will be determined by the size of the web site, the maturity of the existing documentation, and the test infrastructure that exists at the start of the project. The usual rule is:
- Gap assessment and documentation: about a few weeks for a facility having an established food safety program
- Implementation and internal audit: about several weeks to establish segregation and testing processes
- Audit by certification body and issuance of certificates: usually accomplished within the audit cycle once the facility is ready
Those facilities already possessing the BRCGS Food Safety Certification will find it easier to include the Gluten Free module due to having the food safety system and audit slot ready. Those facilities which need to start everything from the ground up will need to factor in extra time for developing their storage segregation, validating their cleaning process, and building up their testing lab relationship because these aspects are more time-consuming than just the paperwork.
The selection of a certifying body accredited for the BRCGS Gluten-Free add-on is just as important as the selection of a certifying body accredited for the core standard. It’s worth noting that not all BRCGS-accredited certifying bodies are accredited for the gluten-free add-on.
BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification and India’s Regulatory Context
FSSAI is India’s food safety regulator and has its own set of labeling regulations related to the “Gluten Free” claim, which work in parallel with the voluntary standards such as BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification, but not as replacement. The former one is about legal requirements that can be made on the package while the latter is about control measures behind the label claim. Export buyers usually consider the BRCGS certificate to be more important since it involves an independent, accredited audit of the manufacturing process.
In case of producers operating both within the country and internationally, it would be better to match the FSSAI label compliance requirement to that of BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification right from the beginning since a control plan based on BRCGS standard will definitely satisfy the domestic label compliance requirement.
Benefits of BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification for Indian Businesses
- Export opportunities where BRCGS Food Safety Certification is required of suppliers
- Enhanced buyer confidence in private label and contract manufacturing agreements
- Reduced risk of expensive product recalls due to undisclosed gluten presence
- Auditable proof of on-pack claims regarding gluten-free status
- Competitive advantage in India’s expanding market for gluten-free products
Other than fulfilling the needs of the buyers, the controls that are necessary for the BRCGS Gluten Free Certification, including segregation, cleaning, supplier approval, and testing, are also helpful in enhancing the food safety management at the site. Many companies have found that the discipline they develop in order to manage their gluten management is equally beneficial in managing their other allergens and quality programs as well.
Key Takeaways
- BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification is a module added to BRCGS Food Safety Certification, not an independent standard.
- The need for Gluten-Free Certification India arises primarily from export orders and private label retail contracts.
- Separation, verification of sanitation, approved suppliers, and gluten testing are needed for certification.
- If facilities are already certified according to the BRCGS Food Safety Standard, then the process becomes easier.
- Facilities that are certified are enlisted in the BRCGS Directory used by buyers to confirm supplier credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BRCGS Gluten-Free certification?
It is an add-on standard for the BRCGS which ensures controls on the site for avoiding contamination with gluten in food products.
How to get BRCGS Gluten-Free certification in India?
Do a gap assessment, prepare the necessary documents, control for gluten and conduct an audit with an approved certification body.
Who needs BRCGS Gluten-Free food certification for food manufacturing and export?
Companies manufacturing and exporting gluten-free food to retailers/buyers in the EU, US or Gulf usually require this certification.
Who needs a gluten-free certification in India?
Entities manufacturing, packaging and private labeling of gluten-free foods to back their claims require this certification.
How long does BRCGS Gluten-Free certification take?
There is no set timeline, but sites having BRCGS Food Safety Certification usually integrate the module quicker.
What is the gluten threshold under BRCGS Gluten-Free Standard?
The threshold must be tested based on the declared threshold value for gluten-free declaration, verified by regular analysis.
Is BRCGS Gluten-Free certification different from BRCGS Food Safety certification?
No, it is a stand-alone gluten-specific module evaluated together with the BRCGS Food Safety Certification Audit.
