IFS Food v8 Readiness: What Auditors Score and How to Prepare
Know how each requirement is scored, what fails an audit outright, and why every third audit arrives unannounced.
In Short
- 95% for Higher Level.
- A KO scored D fails the audit.
- Every third audit unannounced.
The Food Processing Operations Guide
Safe changeovers. Right labels. Every lot traceable.
- The rules and the plan
- Supplier to filled tray
- Allergen changeovers and pack checks
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The Food Processing Operations Guide
Safe changeovers. Right labels. Every lot traceable.
IFS Food is a food safety and quality standard audited by independent accredited certification bodies. Version 8, published in April 2023, scores every requirement, treats certain requirements as knock-out (KO) items and requires at least every third audit to be unannounced. This guide covers the scoring, the evidence auditors follow and how findings are closed. It is orientation, not certification advice. Sources checked 4 Oct 2026.
How scoring works
Each requirement is scored A for full compliance (20 points), B for almost full compliance (15), C where part is not implemented (5) or D where it is not implemented (minus 20). In version 8, B is again a deviation, so B, C and D all need action.
Scoring in Version 8
| Score | Meaning | Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | Full compliance | 20 |
| B | Almost full compliance (deviation) | 15 |
| C | Part not implemented (deviation) | 5 |
| D | Not implemented (deviation) | -20 |
- A
- Meaning
- Full compliance
- Points
- 20
- B
- Meaning
- Almost full compliance (deviation)
- Points
- 15
- C
- Meaning
- Part not implemented (deviation)
- Points
- 5
- D
- Meaning
- Not implemented (deviation)
- Points
- -20
More on how scoring works
A Major non-conformity can be raised against any requirement where there is a substantial failure, and a KO requirement scored D fails the audit.
Higher and Foundation Level
A total score of 95% or more, with no Major and no KO scored D, passes at Higher Level; 75% up to 95% passes at Foundation Level. One Major with a score of at least 75% needs a follow-up audit within six months, and the certificate is then issued at Foundation Level only.
More on higher and Foundation Level
More than one Major, a score under 75% or any KO scored D means no certificate and a new audit.
Unannounced Audits
The certification body decides with the site whether an audit is announced or unannounced, but at least every third IFS Food audit must be unannounced. An unannounced audit happens within a window before the due date, and the site gains IFS Star status.
More on unannounced Audits
A failed announced audit does not count toward the every-third-audit rule.
Evidence Auditors Follow
Auditors trace products and processes: a finished product sample back through its specification, raw material approval, production records, critical control point monitoring and release, plus a traceability test. Food safety culture, food defence and food fraud vulnerability are also assessed.
Worked Example: a Traceability Test
More on evidence Auditors Follow
Records need to be retrievable during the audit, not rebuilt for it.
Action Plans and Decisions
After the audit, the site sends an action plan with corrections and corrective actions within four weeks of receiving the list of findings, and the certificate is issued only when corrections are implemented. Senior management owns the food safety and quality policy and resources; the certification body, not any software, judges compliance.
Questions
What happens if a KO requirement is scored D?
The audit is not passed and no certificate is issued. Actions and a new initial audit have to be agreed with the certification body.
Does a B score need action?
Yes. In version 8 a B score is again a deviation, so it needs a correction and corrective action in the action plan.
Can every audit be announced?
No. At least every third IFS Food audit must be unannounced.
Where does V5 fit?
V5 keeps specifications, supplier approvals, production and CCP records, lots and CAPA linked, so a traceability test can be run from records. The certification body decides on certification.
Practical orientation, not legal advice. Rules differ by jurisdiction; your quality and compliance team decides what applies.
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