Getting ready for FSSC 22000 certification is a big step toward proving your company’s commitment to food safety and regulatory compliance. This globally recognized certification demonstrates that your business follows a robust food safety management system (FSMS) built on industry standards. However, preparing for certification is not a simple “do-it-yourself” task. It requires deep knowledge, technical understanding, and professional experience with food safety standards.

At Perry Johnson Consulting, Inc. (PJC), we guide you through every step of the implementation process, helping you avoid costly mistakes and delays. Here’s a clear roadmap that highlights how expert FSSC 22000 certification assistance from PJC ensures a successful FSSC 22000 certification journey.

Table of Contents

1. Understand the FSSC 22000 Requirements
2. Conduct a Gap Analysis
3. Build a Competent Team and Assign Responsibilities
4. Develop and Document Your Food Safety Management System
5. Implement Control Measures and Monitor Effectively
6. Prepare for the Certification Audit
7. Final Take

1. Understand the FSSC 22000 Requirements

FSSC 22000 is built on ISO 22000 and includes sector-specific prerequisites (PRPs) and additional scheme requirements. It is not just about having good food safety practices—it’s about formally demonstrating compliance through structured systems, documentation, and controls.

Meeting these requirements demands:

• A well-documented food safety policy and measurable objectives
• A detailed hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plan
• Prerequisite programs tailored to your sector
• A comprehensive communication plan for your entire supply chain

While the information is publicly available, interpreting these standards correctly is a job for trained experts. PJC consultants are well-versed in every clause and expectation of the FSSC 22000 framework and help you build a system that passes audit requirements confidently.

2. Conduct a Professional Gap Analysis

A gap analysis is the starting point, and should always be conducted by a qualified food safety professional. Without deep knowledge of the FSSC 22000 standard, identifying missing or weak areas is extremely challenging.

At PJC, our trained experts perform a detailed comparison between your current practices and what the standard requires. We don’t just tell you what’s missing—we explain why it matters and how to fix it, saving you time, money, and frustration.

3. Assign the Right Team with Expert Oversight

Food safety is a team responsibility, but leadership is essential. While internal personnel are vital to day-to-day implementation, they need expert guidance to ensure all roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures align with FSSC 22000 requirements.

PJC provides support in forming and training your internal food safety team, ensuring they fully understand their responsibilities under the standard. We also offer HACCP training to educate staff on how to read and use food safety plans—but we develop the actual HACCP plans for you, as they must meet highly specific regulatory and technical criteria.

4. Develop and Document Your Food Safety Management System

This is where most companies run into trouble. The FSMS isn’t just a few policies—it’s a comprehensive manual that must explain how your business meets each requirement of the standard.

Our consultants at PJC create your food safety manual based on a thorough understanding of your processes and how they align with FSSC 22000. We develop all the required documentation, including:

• Food safety policies
• Detailed HACCP plans (number of plans depends on the processes involved)
• Process flow diagrams
• Monitoring and verification records
• Corrective and preventive action procedures

Instead of you trying to figure out what belongs in each section, we build it for you, ensuring accuracy and audit-readiness.

5. Implement Control Measures with Expert Guidance

Effective implementation means putting your FSMS into practice. This involves:

• Establishing prerequisite programs (sanitation, pest control, supplier approval, etc.)
• Applying and monitoring HACCP controls
• Conducting regular verification activities
• Creating a traceability and recall system

This step is complex and can’t be reduced to generic templates or guesswork. PJC walks your team through every implementation task, ensuring that every control measure is customized, compliant, and functional.

We also help you conduct internal audits and management reviews that are realistic and useful—not just for certification, but for continuous improvement.

6. Prepare for the Certification Audit—Professionally

The final audit is not just a formality. It is a detailed review by a third-party certifier. If your FSMS is incomplete, poorly documented, or inconsistently applied, it will result in non-conformities.

Our role is to make sure you’re fully prepared:

• We help you conduct mock audits
• We assist with responses to any previous audit findings
• We ensure all documentation and records are current and organized
• We train your team on how to interact with auditors with confidence

Trying to prepare for this stage alone is a risk. Let PJC ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Final Take:

Achieving FSSC 22000 certification isn’t about ticking off checkboxes—it’s about demonstrating real, system-wide food safety. And that can’t be done properly without the right expertise.

At Perry Johnson Consulting, Inc., we specialize in FSSC 22000 implementation assistance. From gap analysis to HACCP planning to final audit preparation, we guide you every step of the way. We take care of the technical requirements so your team can focus on your business operations.

Don’t risk your time, money, or your brand by trying to go it alone. Let our certified experts help you build a reliable, effective, and fully compliant food safety system—one that leads to certification success.

Ready to start? Contact us today and let’s move forward together.

FAQs

1. Why is expert assistance important for FSSC 22000 certification?
   
   FSSC 22000 requirements are complex. Professional consultants like PJC interpret them correctly, ensuring your system meets every requirement without costly mistakes or delays.
2. Can I do a gap analysis for FSSC 22000 myself?
   
   While possible, it’s risky. A trained food safety expert from PJC provides an accurate gap analysis that identifies all compliance issues clearly and efficiently.
3. Who should create the HACCP plan for FSSC 22000?
   
   Your HACCP plan must be developed by certified experts. PJC creates tailored HACCP plans that comply fully with FSSC 22000 standards and audit expectations.
4. What role does a food safety manual play in certification?
   
   The food safety manual explains how your company meets each requirement. PJC builds this critical document correctly—ensuring nothing is left out or misunderstood.
5. How does PJC help during the certification audit process?
   
   PJC prepares your team, audits your system, organizes documentation, and ensures confidence—guiding you through every audit stage for successful certification results.