Guidelines for Food Grade FIBCs

Food-grade FIBCs are used for packaging and transporting a wide range of food items including flour, sugar, whey protein, and rice. In order to protect the public, rigorous manufacturing standards have been implemented to ensure these packaging products are free of contamination. Southern Packaging, LP is a leader in supplying food-grade FIBCs and only sources materials from manufacturers that adhere to the strictest international standards for production quality and safety. Continue reading to learn more about our products and the standards associated with food grade FIBCs.  

Hygiene & Quality Control Standards

Whether you’re buying cereal or soda, packaging comes into direct contact with the food products you buy. Therefore, the manufacturing practices of the suppliers that produce these items are critical to your health and safety. Our food and pharmaceutical grade bags are produced in BRCGS and AIB certified clean rooms that adhere to the highest quality and hygiene standards.

Standards which are present in our manufacturers’ BRCGS and AIB certified facilities:

• 100% Virgin Raw Materials
• Proper Ventilation
• Pest Control Procedures
• Metal Detection
• Ultrasonic Cutting
• Light Table Inspection
• Vacuum / Air Cleaning
• Proper Personnel Wardrobe
• Proper Personnel Hygiene
• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) Program
• Record Keeping 

Programs & Safety Plans

In accordance with the with the third-party safety schemes that have been recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), our manufacturing partners have implemented the following programs and safety plans:

• Allergen Management
• Supplier Approval
• Pest Management
• Complaint Management
• Traceability
• Training
• Mock Product Recalls
• Calibration
• Carrier Inspection
• Foreign Material Control
• Sanitation
• Food Defense
• Supplier Corrective Action

Third Party Certifications

Food grade FIBCs should only be manufactured by certificated suppliers that meet the standards established by GFSI recognized schemes. Southern Packaging, LP performs extensive due diligence on our food grade quality manufacturing partners to ensure our customers receive the highest quality, most reliable food grade packaging. 

Third-party certifications carried by our manufacturing partners include: 

• Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC)
• BRCGS – British Retail Consortium: BRC Global Standard for Packaging & Packaging Materials Issue 4
• International Featured Standards (IFS): IFS PAC secure, Version 1
• SQF – Safe Quality Food Institute: SQF Code 7th Edition; Level 2
• ISO 9001:2015
• ISO 14000: 2015
• OHSAS 18001:2007

What Makes an FIBC “Food Grade”?

All FIBCs are manufactured using non-toxic virgin polypropylene and polyethylene resin, derivatives of oil. The main distinguishing factor between industrial grade and food grade bulk bags is the environment in which they are produced, the method by which they are assembled and cleaned, and the quality testing undertaken before they are shipped.

The following charts offers a comparison between non-food grade and food-grade FIBCs:

FIBC manufacturers and their respective clean room facilities are subject to audit and can be certified under food safety standards such as British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS), Safe Quality Food (SQF), and American Institute of Baking (AIB). The U.S. FDA does not directly approve or certify FIBCs, nor does it govern the manufacture of such bags or liners. Its official statement is simply that 100% polypropylene resin "may be safely used as articles or components of articles intended for use in contact with food."

Are you looking for food grade bulk bags? 

Southern Packaging, LP stocks the largest inventory of on-demand FIBCs in the country. Nearly 1 million FIBCs across 100 SKUs are available for immediate shipment to your plant location. We offer stock and custom designed food grade FIBCs for any industrial application. Please contact our experienced team of packaging professionals for more information. 

Food Grade FIBCs from Southern Packaging

Since its founding, FIBCA has been a respected voice in the bulk packaging industry, and continues to expand its mission and commitment to educate the public about the benefits, uses, and correct handling methods of flexible intermediate bulk containers. FIBCA maintains a valuable resource center for information related to bulk bags and food safety.

Southern Packaging, LP stocks the largest inventory of on-demand FIBCs in the country. Nearly 1 million FIBCs across 100 SKUs are available for immediate shipment to your plant location. We offer stock and custom designed food grade FIBCs for any industrial application. Please contact our experienced team of packaging professionals for more information.