ISO 22000:2018 is an international standard that specifies the requirements for a Food Safety Management System (FSMS). It is designed to ensure the safety of food at every stage of the supply chain, from production to consumption. This standard integrates the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and the risk management approach, enabling organizations to implement effective food safety measures.
Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 22000:2018 aims to provide organizations with a framework to manage food safety and comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It is applicable to all organizations in the food chain, regardless of size or complexity, and enhances consumer trust in food products.
ISO 22000 certification is beneficial for a wide range of organizations involved in the food industry. This includes, but is not limited to:
By obtaining ISO 22000 certification, these organizations can demonstrate their commitment to food safety, improve operational efficiency, and enhance their marketability.
ISO 22000:2018 outlines several key requirements for organizations seeking certification. These requirements are organized into the following clauses:
Organizations must understand their internal and external contexts, including relevant stakeholders and their needs. This includes identifying risks and opportunities related to food safety.
Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment to the FSMS by establishing a food safety policy, assigning responsibilities, and promoting a culture of food safety within the organization.
Organizations are required to establish and maintain a risk-based approach to food safety. This involves identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures.
This section addresses the need for adequate resources, including personnel, infrastructure, and training. Organizations must also ensure effective communication and documentation.
Organizations must implement operational controls to manage food safety risks. This includes establishing prerequisites and critical control points (CCPs) and monitoring their effectiveness.
Organizations are required to monitor, measure, analyze, and evaluate the effectiveness of the FSMS. This includes conducting internal audits and management reviews.
ISO 22000 encourages organizations to continuously improve their FSMS by addressing non-conformities and taking corrective actions to enhance food safety performance.
Implementing ISO 22000:2018 requires several key documents to ensure compliance with the standard. These documents may include:
To achieve ISO 22000:2018 certification, organizations must follow a structured procedure:
Step 1: Commitment from Top Management
Ensure that top management is fully committed to implementing an FSMS and supporting the certification process.
Step 2: Training and Awareness
Conduct training sessions to familiarize staff with the requirements of ISO 22000 and their roles in maintaining food safety.
Step 3: Gap Analysis
Perform a gap analysis to assess current practices against ISO 22000:2018 requirements. Identify areas needing improvement.
Step 4: Develop and Document the FSMS
Create the necessary documentation, including the food safety policy, hazard analysis, and operational procedures. Ensure that all relevant personnel are involved in the process.
Step 5: Implement the FSMS
Put the developed FSMS into practice by training staff, monitoring compliance, and conducting internal audits to evaluate effectiveness.
Step 6: Conduct Internal Audits
Regularly conduct internal audits to assess compliance with ISO 22000:2018 requirements and identify opportunities for improvement.
Step 7: Management Review
Conduct management reviews to evaluate the performance of the FSMS, discuss audit findings, and determine actions for improvement.
Step 8: Certification Audit
Select an accredited certification body to conduct the certification audit. Ensure that all documentation and records are available for review.
Step 9: Address Non-Conformities
If non-conformities are identified during the audit, take corrective actions to address them and submit a corrective action plan to the certification body.
Step 10: Achieve Certification
Once all requirements are met and non-conformities addressed, the certification body will issue ISO 22000:2018 certification
Have Queries? Talk to us!
ISO 22000:2018 is an international standard for Food Safety Management Systems that outlines requirements for ensuring food safety throughout the supply chain.
Organizations involved in the food industry, including producers, processors, distributors, and food service providers, can benefit from certification.
Benefits include enhanced food safety, regulatory compliance, improved marketability, increased operational efficiency, and stakeholder confidence.
Key requirements include understanding organizational context, leadership commitment, risk assessment, operational controls, performance evaluation, and continual improvement.
Essential documents include a food safety policy, hazard analysis, monitoring procedures, internal audit reports, and training records.
The timeline varies by organization but typically takes three to six months to implement the FSMS and complete the certification process.
No, certification is not mandatory, but it demonstrates a commitment to food safety and can enhance market competitiveness.
Organizations must undergo re-certification audits every three years, with annual surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
Yes, ISO 22000 is scalable and suitable for organizations of all sizes, including small businesses in the food industry.
Choose an accredited certification body with experience in food safety management systems and a good reputation in the industry.