FSSC 22000

FSSC 22000 is one of several GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) benchmarked standards. Certification to any of these GFSI recognized standards provides purchasers of foods of the applicable services, assurance the food has been produced, prepared and handled to the globally accepted standards. FSSC 22000 is a Food Safety Management Certification Scheme. FSSC 22000 was developed to make ISO 22000 accessible as a GFSI benchmarked certification scheme and to meet the requirements of the GFSI Guidance Document. FSSC 22000 remains the only ISO based FSMS Certification Scheme that is recognized by GFSI. It was first recognized in 2010 by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) as a standard that meets its benchmark requirements.

FSSC 22000 is a standard that is a combination of other standards and covers Primary Production, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, and Catering

FSSC 22000 certification is relevant to any food processing or packing operation in which food is handled, processed, packed, stored or distributed, including:

• Primary Producers (Animal Production)
• Processed foods, both own brand and customer-branded
• Raw materials or ingredients for use by food service companies, catering companies, and/or food manufacturers
• Primary products such as fruit and vegetables
• Canneries
• Pet foods for domestic animals
• Packhouses
• Food Processing
• Slaughterhouses
• Packaging Manufacturing
• Packaging Manufacturing
• Caterers

Benefits of Becoming Certified

Becoming FSSC 22000 certified lets customers and consumers know that your company has been verified as having a complete and effective food safety program. The following are just some of the benefits your company will realize:

• Provides proof of due diligence with respect to food safety
• Assurance that your company complies with regulatory requirements
• Increased consumer confidence and loyalty
• Increases marketability
• Improves the food safety culture
• Recognized around the world
• Food safety conscious work force reduces cost due to failures
• Compliance with FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act)

The Standard Generally Requires Food Businesses to:

• Undertake a HACCP (does not apply to fundamentals) risk-based approach to the management of food safety
• Monitor and act upon customer complaints
• Provide a processing environment which ensures that the risks of product contamination are minimized
• Ensure the presence of a detailed specification to facilitate the production of food product which is lawful and consistent with compositional and safety standards and good manufacturing practice
• Ensure that their suppliers are competent to produce the specified product and comply with any legal requirements
• Establish and maintain a risk-assessed program for product examination, testing or analysis

FSSC 22000 is comprised of the Food Safety Management System requirements outlined in ISO 22000 as well as using ISO 22002-X for prerequisite programs as follows:

• ISO/TS 22001-1: Food Manufacturing
• ISO/TS 22002-2: Catering
• ISO/TS 22002-3: Farming
• ISO/TS 22002-4: Food Packaging Manufacturing

How to Gain FSSC 22000 Certification?

Step 1 – Educate yourself about ISO 22000 and he applicable ISO/TS 22002 for your commodity

Step 2 – Designate an Employee as the Food Safety Manager

Step 3 – Engage a qualified and recognized consulting firm to both evaluate your existing food safety program and provide you with a roadmap for implementation to include documentation develop, training, and internal audit services.

The most painless, streamlined, and quickest way to reach certification is to select a firm that will not only guide and train you but will also develop HACCP plans, GMPS, and will compile your food safety manual so that it meets all FSSC 22000 requirements. A qualified firm will be able to provide you with training and internal audit services. A complete A-Z program will save money and time in your quest to become FSSC 22000 certified.

Step 4 – Obtain quotes from an accredited FSSC 22000 Registrar/Certification Body

Step 5 – Select a Certification Body and schedule the audit