Guide to ISO 22000-Food Safety Management System
Numerous health consequences can result from taking unsafe food. That makes it essential for all organizations involved in the food supply chain to use safe products and processes. It provides all the guidelines that organizations should follow to control all food-related hazards, right from when the food is on the farm to when it gets to the table. ISO 22000 is designed such that it doesn’t affect competition in the food industry.
Food Safety Management System
Food hazards can occur anywhere along the food chain. That makes it crucial to have controls at all points in the food chain to ensure food is safe at the consumption point. For that, all organizations involved need to collaborate with the common goal of ensuring food safety. The FSMS primary elements per ISO 22000 include interactive communication, prerequisite programs to ensure cleanliness and sanitary environment, system management, and HACCP principles. Other principles covered by the standard include leadership, customer focus, people’s engagement, improvement, process approach, relationship management, and evidence-based decision-making.
ISO 22000 Prerequisite Requirements
To seek ISO 22000 compliance, an organization needs to establish various prerequisite programs. The programs are aimed at reducing the probability of contamination. However, ISO does not particularly define each program’s specific requirements. Each organization has to its programs as per its needs. ISO does provide relevant guidance on developing the prerequisite programs using technical specifications. Some of the areas identified by ISO 22000 for organizations to follow include pest control, building construction and layout, food defense, cross-contamination prevention, employee’s facilities, equipment suitability, management of purchased material, and product information, among others.
Benefits of ISO 22000 Certification
- ISO 22000 certification helps minimize risks associated with food, resulting in better safety and health for consumers, employees, and other individuals involved in the food chain.
- The standard helps to ensure you deliver foods and food products that meet your customer expectations.
- It also helps companies meet regulatory requirements and understand their impact on the company and its customers.
- It also helps the organizations to meet other guidelines and standards at international levels.
- ISO 22000 certification helps to increase the traceability of food products, resulting in increased transparency.
- With an FSMS in place, an organization can respond to food safety risks faster and more efficiently.
- ISO 22000 certification also helps to reduce investigation time when food contamination occurs.
- Other benefits include structure consistency, global recognition, and increased business opportunities.