In early 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, MenuTrinfo® made a pivotal decision: to pursue ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation for our Certified Free From® (CFF) program. What began as a response to global uncertainty evolved into a multi-year journey of commitment, precision, and integrity, all aimed at building trust in food allergen safety.
ISO/IEC 17065 is the internationally recognized standard that sets requirements for organizations certifying products, processes, or services. According to ANAB, the ANSI National Accreditation Board, “The overall aim of certifying products, processes or services is to give confidence to all interested parties that a product, process or service fulfils specified requirements. The value of certification is the degree of confidence and trust that is established by an impartial and competent demonstration of fulfilment of specified requirements by a third party.” That level of trust doesn’t come easily, it must be earned.
Laying the Groundwork: Training and Scheme Development
Our team began by attending a formal training by ANAB to understand the requirements for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO/IEC 17065 standards. This deep dive into the standard laid the foundation for what would become the Certified Free From® scheme. The scheme itself was built to serve the growing demand for transparency and safety in allergen management, especially in foodservice and hospitality settings. Once drafted, it was submitted to ANAB. While ANAB does not accredit the scheme itself, they ensure all necessary components are present and compliant with ISO guidelines.
From Audit Framework to Standards
To strengthen our program’s credibility, we developed the Certified Free From™ standards using the structure of our existing Kitchens with Confidence™ audits. These standards were then refined with the help of an external advisor and underwent rigorous evaluation by a newly formed standards committee. To maintain transparency and adaptability, we also instituted a public comment period every other year, allowing external stakeholders to contribute to updates and improvements.
Safeguarding Integrity: Impartiality and Internal Oversight
Achieving ISO accreditation means more than just developing a program — it demands that the certifying body remain impartial and accountable. To meet these expectations, MenuTrinfo® created an Impartiality Board tasked with identifying and mitigating any perceived or actual risks to impartiality. A detailed risk matrix was developed, approved, and is now reviewed annually to ensure ongoing neutrality and credibility.
We also implemented numerous internal business policies to satisfy the robust operational standards set by ISO/IEC 17065. This included establishing a management team, conducting internal audits, maintaining corrective and preventive action trackers, and logging complaints and appeals. These practices were not one-time activities but ongoing commitments to continuous improvement and accountability.
The Audit and Accreditation Process
After months of preparation, ANAB auditors began their formal review of our Certified Free From® program. This included a desk review of all documentation, an onsite evaluation, and a witness assessment of a live CFF audit. Any non-conformities identified during this phase were addressed through corrective actions and detailed root cause analyses.
The result? MenuTrinfo® officially became the first certification body of its kind to earn accreditation under ISO/IEC 17065 for allergen-free claims, a historic milestone for both the company and the foodservice industry.
Ongoing Compliance: Our Annual Commitment
Earning accreditation was not the end of the journey. ANAB conducts annual visits to ensure continued compliance with ISO standards. These regular audits reaffirm that our processes remain effective, impartial, and current, giving clients and consumers alike continued peace of mind.
MenuTrinfo®’s Certified Free From® program is now recognized by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) as meeting the highest international standards. This achievement underscores our long-standing commitment to safety, transparency, and trust.
When you see the Certified Free From® seal, you can be confident that it is backed by a rigorous, impartial, and internationally recognized certification process.
Learn more about our Certified Free From™ program and ANAB accreditation here: MenuTrinfo® Onsite Services
