GIGA is… Industry. GIGA is… Global Standards.
International Food Science Center Moving Bajan Producers from Home Kitchens to World Markets.
The revival of Barbadian industry is underway. It’s a movement built on GIGA (Green Industrial Gateway Advantage)—a national vision, championed by Export Barbados (BIDC) for investing in the advanced machinery, technology, and worldclass infrastructure our producers need to compete.
For years, our most innovative entrepreneurs were trapped by the limitations of a home-based operation—kitchen size, manual processes, and an inability to scale or meet international criteria. That era is over.
In March 2025, the International Food Science Center (IFSC) officially achieved Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), a globally recognized, US-
based organization.
This certification is the essential foundation, or “stamp of legitimacy,” that is now unlocking access to local supermarkets and global export routes. It is the prerequisite that allows the Center to guide our entrepreneurs through the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) process, a “godsend” for any producer with global ambitions.
“Our products are of the quality and the taste... that can compete on international markets. The IFSC provides the expertise to get them over the finish line and onto the global stage.”
Dr. Carol Hull-Jackson, Chief Food Science Consultant –Safety and Quality, IFSC
GIGA is... Technology Integrated with Safety.
The GIGA vision is built on investing in high-tech hardware. As Dr. Hull-Jackson explains, GMP certification is critical. GMP focuses intensely on equipment suitability, maintenance, hygiene, sanitation, allergen control and training among other procedures. It ensures that our advanced technology—from automated bottling lines to efficient, natural gasfired heating facilities—is used safely and sanitarily.
This integration of tech and safety:
• Guarantees a Consistent, Safe Product
• Drastically Reduces Production Costs & Time
• Provides the Documentation & RecordKeeping that Buyers Demand
• Simplifies Export Approval
By achieving this, the IFSC can now expertly guide manufacturers through their own HACCP plans, helping them identify and control all potential hazards. This is how we maintain the authenticity of “Made in Barbados” while proving our products meet the most stringent global standards.
GIGA is… Quality Control.
What the IFSC’s New Certification Means for YOUR Business.
If you are a Barbadian entrepreneur, this certification is your single greatest asset. Here is what it unlocks for you, right now:
1. Access to All Markets
This certification is the key that unlocks doors. It provides the “stamp of legitimacy” required by local supermarket chains like Massy and is the non-negotiable first step for exporting to the UK, USA, and Europe.
2. World-Class Technology
You gain access to automation and equipment for a fraction of the cost of buying it yourself. This allows you to scale up, reduce production costs, and move beyond the physical limits of a home kitchen.
3. An Expert Partner in Innovation
The IFSC team helps you perfect your product to meet international standards for safety, quality, labeling, and nutrition, all while protecting your unique, authentic Bajan flavor.
4. A Focus on Your Genius
You can now stop being a manual labourer and focus on being a CEO. Let the Center’s certified facility and technology handle the production, while you focus on innovation, marketing, and building your brand.
Wayne Ifill, Founder, Auntie Phyllis
“The certifications were a ‘godsend.’ As a home-based operation, export was impossible. The IFSC gave us a direct route into the UK market and the worldclass tech to scale up, reduce costs, and keep our product authentically ‘Made in Barbados’.”
Tyrique Wilson, Carringtons Rum Cream
“Before, we were home-based, and production was 100% manual. We could make about 120 bottles in two days. At the Food Science Center, we’re automated and can produce 1,000 bottles in one day. The GMP certification was the stamp of legitimacy we needed to get onto shelves at Massy.”
What Message do you have for Fellow Entrepreneurs?
“My advice is to visit the Center and investigate the opportunities for yourself, instead of listening to naysayers. This allows you to scale up to levels you thought were impossible and bolster Barbados’ economy.”
What Message do you have for Fellow Entrepreneurs?
“Distributors and retailers, especially for export, want to see you are serious. You have to move beyond home production. Using a professional, certified facility like the IFSC isn’t something you do after you get a deal—it’s how you get the deal in the first
Do you have a product? Do you have an idea? Are you ready to scale? Let the International Food Science Center be your partner.
Schedule your consultation to find out how our new GMP & HACCP certification can help you grow.
