A new standard is coming. What do you need to know?

Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standard – Edition 5 (FSQ5) has been built by industry, for industry.

It’s stronger, clearer, and more practical, and most of what you already do puts you well on the way.

This page is a work in progress, hang with us as we roll out the changes. The Freshcare Team will get you all the resources and information you need for a smooth transition.

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The implementation timeline

What's happening at each stage, at a glance

Does this affect your business?

The above implementation dates will apply differently to On-farm and Supply Chain businesses, depending on where you are in your certification journey. Click on the options below for a detailed view of how the transition will affect you:

  • New Businesses

    1 September 2026

    • FSQ5 released with full suite of updated resources, forms, implementation guides and modular training options.

    1 March 2027

    • Initial certification audits must be conducted to FSQ5 from this date.
    • Certificates issued under FSQ4.2 and SCS2 before this date will be recognised until their expiry.

    1 July 2027

    • All audits must be conducted to FSQ5 from this date.
  • Existing Businesses

    1 September 2026

    • FSQ5 released with full suite of updated resources, forms, implementation guides and modular training options.

    1 March 2027

    • Recertification audits to FSQ5 become available.
    • You may choose to be certified to FSQ5 or continue under FSQ4.2 / SCS2 until 30 June 2027.

    30 June 2027

    • Last date for audits to FSQ4.2 and SCS2.
    • Certificates issued before this date will be recognised until their expiry.

    1 July 2027

    • All audits must be conducted to FSQ5 from this date.
    • FSQ4.2 and SCS2 audits will no longer be available.

A Look at the Updated Standard Structure

FSQ5 will support certification across on-farm and supply chain activities under a single, consolidated framework. This framework has been developed through extensive consultation to reflect current and emerging regulatory and market expectations.

*Subject to change prior to official release date

Sections

Sections outline the key FSQ5 Standard compliance areas. Each section contains Modules which outline specific requirements.

Modules

Modules are the segments which sit under standard Sections and contain standard Elements you are already familiar with from FSQ4.2 and SCS2.

What's Changing? Same foundation. Stronger standard.

FSQ5 formalises good practice, building on what you already do. If you're certified under FSQ4.2 or SCS2 you likely meet these expectations. Most changes to the standard clarify existing requirements, rather than introducing entirely new obligations. Check out the key changes by clicking on the options below:

  • On-farm and Supply Chain

    Food Safety and Supply Chain programs become a single unified standard

    FSQ5 supports greater consistency in food safety and quality expectations across the supply chain. Reduces duplication and complexity for businesses operating across multiple activities.

  • Standard Structure & Clarity

    Improved structure and clearer requirements

    FSQ5 has been reorganised for easier navigation. Requirements are clearer, duplication is reduced, and the standard is more straightforward to apply in practice.

  • Food Safety Management System

    Strengthened Food Safety Management System

    A more robust framework with clearer expectations for documented procedures and records, informed by a review of HACCP-based requirements to ensure that risk is managed.

  • Risk & Preventative Controls

    Stronger emphasis on risk assessment

    Greater focus on preventive controls and an expanded risk-based approach to inputs and production practices.

  • Food Safety Culture & Training

    Enhanced Food Safety Culture

    Worker training and competency requirements expanded, including refresher training obligations across your team.

  • Biosecurity

    Biosecurity requirements introduced

    Biosecurity is formally included in FSQ5 for the first time. A new area to be aware of and prepare for.

What does this mean for GFSI recognition?

As part of Freshcare’s ongoing commitment to maintaining alignment with global best practice, Freshcare has submitted an application for benchmarking of the updated Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standard – Edition 5 (FSQ5) against the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024 (BMR v2024).

GFSI benchmarking is an independent and rigorous process that assesses whether a food safety certification program meets internationally recognised requirements for governance, technical integrity, transparency, and operational effectiveness.

Submission of the FSQ5 application is an important milestone in the transition to the updated standard and reflects Freshcare’s continued investment in ensuring the program remains practical, credible, and aligned with evolving industry and customer expectations.

Freshcare’s existing Food Safety & Quality Standards (FSQ4.2 and SCS2) remain GFSI recognised, continuing to provide confidence and market acceptance for certified businesses across domestic and international supply chains.

Track Freshcare’s Benchmarking Progress

Click the button below to view the current status of Freshcare’s application for benchmarking of FSQ5, publicly available on the GFSI website:

FSQ5 Benchmarking Status

Stay up to date

This page will continue to be updated as new resources, training materials and transition guidance is released. Subscribe to the Freshcare newsletter to receive updates regularly.

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