FSSC 22000 is a Food Safety Management System certification scheme recognized by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). It may be obtained by organizations participating in the food chain that process or manufacture products of animal origin, perishable plant products, products with a long shelf life, food ingredients such as additives, vitamins, and biological cultures, as well as food-packaging materials.
Categories of companies to which it applies:
- Perishable products of animal origin.
- Perishable plant products.
- Processed foods and products with a long shelf life at room temperature.
- Biochemical and chemical manufacturing.
- Pet food.
- Food-packaging manufacturing.
FSSC 22000 focuses on managing food-safety risks throughout the supply chain and combines the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Standard with technical specifications for prerequisite programs (PRPs), such as ISO/TS 22002-1, applicable to food manufacturing, and ISO/TS 22002-4, focused on food-packaging manufacturing. The scheme is updated periodically—its latest version (Version 6) includes additional requirements related to food-safety culture, food-fraud management, and food defense—so we recommend confirming the current version with our technical team before beginning the certification process. When implementing the standard, a series of Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) must be established. These are defined as the basic conditions and activities necessary to maintain a hygienic environment throughout the food chain for the production, handling, and provision of finished products, taking the following into consideration:
- The construction and design of buildings and related facilities.
- The layout of facilities and workspaces.
- The supply of air, water, energy, and other utilities.
- Waste disposal.
- The suitability, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment.
- The management of purchased materials.
- Measures to prevent cross-contamination.
- Cleaning and disinfection.
- Pest control.
- Personal hygiene and employee facilities.
- Reprocessing.
- Product-recall procedures.
- Storage.
- Consumer information and awareness.
- Food defense, biovigilance, and bioterrorism.
The Standard establishes a framework for food-safety requirements through a Food Safety Management System, the incorporation of Good Practices, and consideration of the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
Benefits of FSSC 22000 Certification:
- Compliance with international food standards.
- Improved food safety.
- Improved product and process quality.
- Reduced liability risks.
- Increased opportunities in international markets.
- Brand protection.
Why is FSSC 22000 important for your organization?
FSSC 22000 Certification demonstrates compliance with legal requirements and a company’s commitment to identifying, controlling, and managing food-safety risks, thereby building trust with its business partners. FSSC 22000 provides flexibility and, because it is based on standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), enables companies to integrate it with other management systems already implemented within the organization, such as ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management).