Patatas Meléndez has obtained the IFS Food certification with a score of 97.76% at the Higher Level, one of the highest results recorded in the sector. This international recognition validates the strength of its quality and food‑safety management systems, as well as the excellence of its production processes.
The certification, issued by SGS, confirms that the company’s activities comply with the requirements of the IFS Food Standard Version 8, one of the most demanding regulatory frameworks in the global agri‑food industry. The scope of the audit includes the washing, sorting, and packaging of potatoes and sweet potatoes in various formats—from nets and cardboard boxes to paper bags and microwave‑ready packaging—at its facility in Medina del Campo (Valladolid).
The IFS Food Standard is an international benchmark for assessing food safety and quality in companies that process or handle food. Developed by the retail federations of Germany and France and recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), this system thoroughly evaluates aspects such as management responsibility, HACCP implementation, resource management, control of production processes, and continuous improvement mechanisms.
Within the IFS system, there are two certification levels: Foundation and Higher Level. The latter is granted only to organizations that exceed 95% compliance in the overall assessment, placing Patatas Meléndez among the companies with the highest standards of food‑safety excellence.
“Achieving this certification with such a high score reinforces our commitment to quality, food safety, and continuous improvement. This recognition reflects the work of our entire team and our dedication to offering our customers and consumers a product with the highest guarantees,” says Javier Meléndez, CEO of Patatas Meléndez.
For the end consumer, this certification provides an additional guarantee of safety, quality, and control throughout the entire process the product undergoes before reaching the point of sale. The IFS standard requires exhaustive verification of aspects such as traceability, facility hygiene, raw‑material control, and supervision of production processes. This ensures consistent quality from the source.
IFS Food certification is required by many major European retail chains as a guarantee for their suppliers. Its international recognition also facilitates access to global markets and strengthens customer and consumer confidence in the control and quality systems of certified companies.
