Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Why a Gap-Analysis Matters Before You Start Implementing IFS V8

When I work with food-manufacturing teams preparing for IFS certification, one thing becomes clear fast: nobody wants surprises during the audit. A proper gap-analysis helps you understand where you stand today and what needs improvement before an auditor ever walks in.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably trying to answer questions like:

• Are we aligned with IFS Food V8?
• Where are the gaps?
• How long will implementation take?

This guide gives you a practical, no-nonsense roadmap. You’ll learn how to evaluate your current system clause-by-clause, identify non-conformities, and prioritize improvements based on risk. Think of it as your reality check before you invest time and resources into certification.

Scope Definition — Getting Clear on What Applies to You

Before you check a single requirement, you need to define your scope. I’ve seen companies rush into implementation only to realize later they included unnecessary requirements or, worse, missed mandatory ones.

Start with:

• What products you manufacture
• Which IFS product group applies
• Production processes included in your certification boundary

A quick tip: document exclusions clearly and justify them. Auditors don’t just want to see what is excluded — they want to know why.

Common mistake: assuming previous standards (IFS V7, HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS) automatically transfer. IFS V8 introduced new expectations around allergen management, validation, culture, and process control — so treat this like a fresh evaluation.

Documentation Review — Checking Whether Your System Exists on Paper

Here’s something I’ve noticed again and again: most companies have good practices, but not everything is written, updated, or controlled. IFS V8 expects documented proof — not just operational habits.

Review the following:

• Policies and manuals aligned to IFS V8 requirements
• Updated procedures with clear ownership
• Version control, revision history, and approvals
• Template consistency and retained evidence

I once worked with a company that had strong allergen controls on the floor, but their allergen policy was three versions behind production reality. Nothing was wrong in practice — but on paper, it looked like a non-conformity waiting to happen.

A clause-mapping matrix can help you track what’s covered and what still needs development.

Operational Walkthrough — Comparing Reality to Documentation

Now that you’ve reviewed the paperwork, it’s time to see if it matches what’s happening on the production floor.

Walk through your site during active production. Not during downtime — that’s when everything looks perfect.

Check:

• Hygiene zones and product flow
• Equipment conditions, calibration, maintenance
• CCPs, OPRPs, and monitoring records
• Allergen segregation, labelling, and cleaning effectiveness

A pattern I see often is this: CCPs are monitored perfectly, but OPRPs don’t get the same level of attention. IFS V8 expects both to be controlled, verified, and recorded consistently.

If something in operations doesn’t match the documented procedure, document it. That’s a real gap.

People, Culture & Competency — Checking Awareness, Not Just Training Records

IFS V8 recognizes something important: procedures don’t work unless people understand them.

So, look beyond training logs. Ask operators questions. Observe behaviors.

Some examples:

• Can team members explain why controls matter — not just how to do them?
• Are supervisors communicating food-safety expectations consistently?
• Do internal audits, meetings, and reviews actually drive improvements?

One of my clients improved audit results significantly by introducing 5-minute daily “food-safety check-ins” with line staff. Small habits can build big culture shifts.

Risk-Ranking & Action Plan — Turning Findings Into a Real Roadmap

Once you identify gaps, turn them into a prioritized improvement plan. Not everything needs fixing at once — and realistically, it won’t be.

Rank findings by:

• Audit impact
• Regulatory risk
• Food-safety severity
• Implementation effort

Some gaps are “quick wins”:
✔ Updating a form
✔ Cleaning schedule corrections
✔ Adding missing signatures

Others require more work, like validation studies or revising the allergen control program.

Color-coding helps — auditors love seeing logical prioritization. More importantly, it keeps your team focused on what matters first.

FAQs

How long should a full IFS V8 gap-analysis take?
Most businesses take between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on documentation maturity and site complexity. Larger or multisite operations may take longer.

Can we reuse documentation from ISO 22000, HACCP, or BRCGS?
Yes — but expect to adapt it. Copy-paste systems almost always lead to misalignment, confusion, or missing controls.

Should we complete the gap-analysis before internal audits?
Ideally yes. The gap-analysis informs what your internal audit should focus on.

Conclusion — Your Next Step Toward Certification

A solid gap-analysis gives you clarity and direction. You now know what’s compliant, what needs updating, and where you need improvement — before the certification body points it out.

This step sets the foundation for a smooth implementation and, ultimately, a confident IFS V8 audit outcome.

If you’re ready, your next move is turning this assessment into a structured implementation plan with owners, deadlines, and evidence requirements.