When you source private label coffee from a European factory, you are putting your brand on their product. If their production does not meet food safety standards, it is your brand that carries the consequences. Certifications are the mechanism by which you independently verify that a factory meets the standards your market requires.
Two certifications matter most for international buyers sourcing from Europe: IFS Food and FDA registration.
What Is IFS Food Certification?
IFS (International Featured Standards) Food is one of the most rigorous food safety and quality management certifications in the world. It was developed by European retail chains to independently audit their suppliers and is now recognised by major retailers in Europe, the USA, and the Middle East as a prerequisite for product listing.
For coffee buyers, an IFS-certified factory means that every stage of production — from raw material intake to finished product despatch — has been independently audited against internationally recognised standards.
What Is FDA Registration?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all food facilities manufacturing products for consumption in the United States to register with the FDA. For European coffee factories exporting to the USA, FDA registration is a legal requirement — not optional. Check our certifications page here.
Why These Certifications Matter for B2B Buyers
- Retail compliance — major supermarket chains in Europe and the USA require IFS or BRC before listing private label products
- US export — FDA registration is legally required for any coffee entering the American market
- Gulf and MENA — IFS certification is increasingly required by Gulf retailers and distributors
- Risk reduction — certified factories reduce your exposure to food safety incidents and recalls
- Buyer confidence — certifications are independently verified, not self-declared
What to Ask Your Factory
Always request the actual certificate PDF. A legitimate certified factory will send it within hours. Also check the certificate validity date — IFS certificates are issued annually and must be current.
Burdet Coffee’s Certification Position
Burdet Coffee works exclusively with IFS and FDA certified manufacturing partners in Spain and Italy. Every private label order is produced in a facility that has passed independent audit against international food safety standards.
New to Private Label Coffee?
If you are just starting out and want to understand the full process before contacting a manufacturer, we recommend the free beginner’s guide at MyOwnCoffeeBrand.com — it covers suppliers, packaging, real costs, and the most common mistakes new brands make.
Written by Khansaa Ruiz · Coffee Industry Consultant · Burdet Coffee · Madrid, Spain
