DALLAS, TEXAS (September 9, 2026) – The International Flight Services Association (IFSA) today launched its 2026 IFSA World Food Safety Guidelines, a single, practical framework that unifies the association’s previously separate Guidelines and Implementation Guide to strengthen food safety management across airline catering operations worldwide. IFSA unveiled the 2026 Guidelines during a thought leadership session at IFSA Global EXPO in Dallas, Texas.
Developed collaboratively by IFSA members and informed by internationally recognized food safety management standards, the updated Guidelines establish the minimum and fundamental requirements airline caterers should consider when developing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving food safety management systems.
The 2026 edition marks a meaningful step forward for the multi-billion-dollar onboard services industry, which serves millions of passengers on scheduled routes worldwide every day. It also advances IFSA’s long-stated goal of a universally recognized food safety standard for airline catering within a globally accepted scheme.
“The launch of the 2026 IFSA World Food Safety Guidelines reflects IFSA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the global onboard services industry with practical resources that promote food safety, operational consistency, and continuous improvement,” said Allison Cooke, IFSA Director of Government Affairs. “We are grateful to the IFSA members and industry leaders whose expertise helped shape this important resource for caterers, airlines, and suppliers around the world.”
What is included in the 2026 edition
- One unified resource. The previously separate Implementation Guide is now integrated into a single framework, reducing duplication and improving usability.
- Alignment with the latest standards. The Guidelines incorporate elements from ISO 22000:2018, ISO/TS 22002-1:2025, ISO/TS 22002-100:2025, and FSSC 22000 Version 7.
- A clear path to certification. The framework can serve as a preparatory tool for organizations pursuing ISO 22000:2018 or certification through Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized schemes.
- A more practical format. The streamlined structure gives airline catering operations a clearer, more usable approach to day-to-day food safety management.
“As an airline, nothing matters more than the safety of the food we serve our passengers,” said Mike Fishburn, IFSA Board Director and Senior Manager Catering Operations, flydubai. “The 2026 World Food Safety Guidelines give caterers, airlines, and suppliers one clear framework to work from, wherever in the world they operate. Aligning our practices with the most current international benchmarks is how we protect passengers, build trust, and move the whole industry closer to a single, universally recognized food safety standard for onboard catering.”
The 2026 IFSA World Food Safety Guidelines are available to IFSA members and industry stakeholders. Following the launch, IFSA will host a series of training webinars later this year and into 2027 to provide additional guidance on key elements of the updated resource.
For more information and to access the 2026 World Food Safety Guidelines, please visit ifsa.aero or follow IFSA on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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About the International Flight Services Association (IFSA)
The International Flight Services Association (IFSA) is a global professional association serving the needs and interests of airline and railway personnel, caterers and suppliers who provide onboard services on regularly scheduled travel routes. Under the umbrella of APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) serving every major airline in the world, IFSA is dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of the multi- billion dollar inflight and railway onboard service industry.
