The Organisation
One of the principal recommendations of the Pugwash Conference in Venice1 in 1965 was to establish the International Foundation for Science ‘in order to address the stultifying conditions under which younger faculty members in the universities of developing countries were attempting to do research’. IFS was founded as a Research Council and registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Sweden in 1972. IFS receives funding from a portfolio of donors and funders including development organisations and science academies. The annual budget is approximately USD 5 million. IFS has 135 Affiliated Organisations in 86 countries, mainly in the developing world. IFS has an international Board of Trustees. The IFS Secretariat is located in Stockholm, Sweden.
The mission:
We live today in a world that faces many interlinked crises. The challenge before us is not only to provide sufficient food, water and energy (to a population that will peak at around 9 billion people by 2050) but also to ensure security of supply, at affordable cost and within acceptable limits of environmental change. Some of the greatest challenges are in the developing world where the scientists of tomorrow must secure their career in research today and to contribute to a global research community that is reducing poverty and supporting sustainable development. Our overall goal therefore, is that: ‘Young men and women scientists in developing countries conduct relevant and high quality research that is put it into use’.
In order to contribute to this goal, IFS provides opportunities for young scientists to propose research into biological and water resources in low income countries. These proposals are rigorously assessed by international experts, with grants and support provided to the very best early career scientists to enable them to work in their own country and tackle research issues related to local needs. Local training courses contribute towards strengthening the capability of developing country scientists to propose, conduct, report and share relevant and high quality research. The research can involve the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes, as well as relevant social and economic aspects and issues related to securing entitlements. It can be theoretical or applied and will be likely to address aspects of sustainable management, conservation, or renewable and equitable utilisation of the natural resource base.
About BRC:
The company was founded in 1996 by retailers who wanted to harmonize food safety standards across the supply chain. Today we are globally recognised across both food and non food categories and operate the most rigorous third party certification scheme of its type. Our message is clear, we have the most rigorous schemes and the highest trained auditors giving you the best results possible.
BRC Global Standards is a market leading global brand that helps build confidence in the supply chain and our Standards for Food, Packaging, Storage & Distribution, Retail and Consumer Products set the benchmark for good manufacturing practice, and help provide assurance to customers that your products are safe, legal and of high quality.
In 2016 BRC Global Standards was acquired by the LGC Group, the leading international life sciences measurement and testing company. This is the next stage of the strategic transition from being a standards owner to a brand and consumer protection organisation with a range of products and services to help its customers deal with the challenges of producing safe, high quality products for the end consumer on a global basis.
The BRC Global Standard Focus on:
●The importance of management commitment
●HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) based food safety programmes
●Quality management systems
●Auditing good manufacturing processes – it is not just a paperwork audit
●Auditing areas which often have the highest rate of product recalls and withdrawals, such as labelling and packing
●Developing systems to reduce exposure to food fraud
●Ensuring consistency of the audit process
●Providing a BRC Global Standard that is portable enough to allow Additional Modules to be added to reduce audit burden
●Promoting greater resilience, transparency and traceability in the supply chain.
The BRC Global Standard is divided into seven sections.
1.SENIOR MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT.
2.THE FOOD SAFETY PLAN (HACCP)
The BRC Global Standard requires the development of an effective HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) programme based on the requirements of the internationally recognised Codex Alimentarius system.
3. FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
4. SITE STANDARDS
5. PRODUCT CONTROL
6. PROCESS CONTROL
7. PERSONNEL
STAR-K Kosher Certification has provided kosher supervision for over fifty years. The STAR-K, formerly known as the Orthodox Jewish Council of Baltimore/ Vaad Hakashrus, originally served the Jewish community of Baltimore.
As the demand for "kosher" began to explode in the 1970s, the Vaad expanded both its services and staff, under Rabbi Moshe Heinemann's leadership as Rabbinic Administrator. With the spread of Rabbi Heinemann's reputation as an expert in the integration of the complexities of food technology with kosher requirements, the STAR-K assumed a more prominent role on the international kashruth scene. STAR-K's kosher symbol quickly gained wider recognition. Its roster of local companies grew to include food manufacturers and distributors worldwide.
As the STAR-K earned respectability in the world of kosher certification, its Rabbinic Administrators were consulted regularly for authoritative opinions in the complex world of Kashrus. The STAR-K Kashrus Hotline was busy responding to inquiries, disseminating the latest information to consumers, and assisting manufacturers from around the globe in acquiring kosher certification. Its popular and internationally distributed newsletter, Kashrus Kurrents, became a leading voice and primary source of information.
As a leader in the international world of kosher certification, the STAR-K is most proud of its reputation for providing prompt, friendly and professional service to both the kosher consumer and members of the food industry.
Singapore imports more than 90 percent of the food it consumes. To ensure all locally produced and imported food products are safe for consumption, AVA adopts a science-based risk analysis approach that is based on international standards. AVA sets and enforces food safety standards for all food entering the Singapore market, from production to just before retail. As food safety is a shared responsibility, AVA also engages the industry and public to do their part in keeping food safe for consumption.
To safeguard public health, AVA has in place high food safety standards, and robust monitoring and inspection programmes to ensure that these standards are maintained. We closely monitor each stage of the food production chain – from the conditions at farms, slaughterhouses, and food processing establishments (both local and overseas), to testing of food samples at the point of import or at local establishments. Only those that pass our stringent tests and inspections are permitted for sale and consumption.
