ISO 22000 Standard : For food safety

What is ISO 22000 ?

ISO 22000 is an international standard that defines the requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS). This system encompasses a set of processes, procedures and practices aimed at controlling risks affecting food safety, covering all stages of the food chain, from production to consumption.

This standard is based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), a methodology focused on the identification, assessment and control of significant hazards for food safety. It also incorporates quality management principles, including process-based approach, continuous improvement, customer satisfaction and employee engagement.

As part of the field of food certification, ISO 22000 is aimed at all actors in the food chain, regardless of their size, sector of activity or products they offer. It focuses on food security, without addressing nutritional quality, regulatory compliance or social responsibility. In addition, it is compatible with other ISO management standards, such as ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) or ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety).

Why adopt ISO 22000 ?

Adopting ISO 22000 makes sense if your goal is to :

Build trust with your customers and stakeholders

• ISO 22000 demonstrates your commitment to food safety, meeting the expectations of your customers, suppliers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• It also promotes efficient communication on food security issues, enabling the needs and aspirations of stakeholders to be identified and met.  
• Finally, the standard paves the way for new markets and opportunities by removing technical barriers to international trade.
  

Improve te efficiency of your food safety management

• By providing a framework to structure, implement, monitor, and continuously improve your food safety management, ISO 22000 helps you stay on top of internal and external developments.  
• It allows you to control food safety risks by adopting the HACCP approach and implementing adequate preventive and corrective actions.  
• The standard also encourages process-based management, identifying, analyzing, and managing interdependent processes to achieve food security goals.
  

Linking food security to other management practices

• Compatible with other ISO standards, such as ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), ISO 22000 facilitates integration with various aspects of management.  
• It allows you to merge food safety with other management areas, to form an integrated management system.  
• Finally, ISO 22000 helps you align food security policies and objectives with your organization’s overall strategy, fostering the engagement of management and staff in the continuous improvement of the food security management system.
  

What are the advantages of implementing a system that complies with ISO 22000 ?

Adopting a food safety management system that complies with ISO 22000 brings significant benefits to your organization, including :

Protect consumer health and your organization’s reputation

• Controlling food safety risks reduces and eliminates the chances of food diseases, protecting consumer health and preserving your body’s reputation.  
• Providing safe, quality food products builds trust with your customers and stakeholders, setting you apart from the competition.

Improve the performance and profitability of your organization

• A proactive and systematic approach to food risk management optimizes the use of resources and reduces the cost of non-compliance, loss and waste, while increasing productivity.
• The application of a structured framework for the planning, implementation, supervision, revision, and continuous improvement of the food safety management system increases its effectiveness, quality, safety, encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.

Facilitate international trade and regulatory compliance

• Compliance with ISO 22000, a harmonized international standard, simplifies international trade, reduces technical barriers by avoiding audit redundancies and document complexity.
• Compliance with the requirements of ISO 22000 ensures compliance with the legal and regulatory regulations in force in your region regarding food hygiene and safety.

Why is ISO 22000 considered a strategic tool for organizations ?

ISO 22000 goes beyond a technical standard for food safety. It is a major strategic tool, allowing companies to improve their positioning on the international market, increase their competitiveness and efficiency, while facing societal and environmental challenges. This is why ISO 22000 is considered a strategic advantage for organizations:

Meets the needs and expectations of stakeholders

• ISO 22000 incorporates the expectations of various stakeholders: customers, suppliers, regulators, consumers, employees, and shareholders.
• It demonstrates the commitment of organizations to food security, thereby consolidating the trust and satisfaction of their stakeholders.
• It encourages communication and collaboration among stakeholders through a common language and principles around food security.

It is part of a continuous improvement approach

• ISO 22000 aligns with the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle for continuous improvement.
• It encourages regular evaluation of the food safety management system, the search for improvements, and the application of corrective and preventive measures.
• It stimulates innovation and adaptation to change, whether technological, stakeholder-driven or regulatory-driven.

It is compatible and integrable with other management standards

• Structural compatibility with other ISO management standards, such as ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) or ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety).
• It promotes the creation of an integrated management system, combining food safety and other aspects of management, for a comprehensive approach.
• It contributes to the alignment of food safety policies and objectives with the company’s overall strategy, involving management and staff in the improvement process.

What is the difference between ISO 22000 and ISO 22000 certification ?

ISO 22000 sets the requirements for an international food safety management system. However, ISO 22000 certification attests to compliance with this standard and is issued by an independent third-party body.

ISO 22000 is voluntary, ISO 22000 certification is optional

• The ISO 22000 standard is developed by consensus between experts, industry, consumers, and many others. It is not mandatory, but voluntary.
• Obtaining ISO 22000 certification is voluntary, not required by law. It formally recognizes the organization’s food safety management.

ISO 22000 is applicable to all organizations in the food industry, ISO 22000 certification is adapted to each sector of activity

• Regardless of their size or the type of products, all actors in the agri-food sector can apply the ISO 22000 standard. It focuses on food security without addressing nutritional quality or social responsibility.
• Contrary to the standard, ISO 22000 certification takes into account the specific characteristics of each sector of activity by integrating Prerequisite Programs (PRP) specific to each, such as manufacturing or distribution.

ISO 22000 is internationally recognized, ISO 22000 certification is validated by stakeholders

• The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ensures that ISO 22000 is recognized worldwide.
• The ISO 22000 certification is recognized by customers, suppliers and regulatory authorities thanks to the accreditation of the certifying body by a signatory member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

What is the difference between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 ?

ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 are both international standards defining requirements for food safety management systems. They play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of food around the world. Nevertheless, despite their common goal, these two standards have significant differences that we will explore.

FSSC 22000 is recognized by GFSI, unlike ISO 22000

• The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), a global initiative seeking to unify food safety standards, recognizes FSSC 22000 standard. This recognition aims to encourage actors in the agri-food sector to adopt consistent and rigorous safety standards.
• On the other hand, the ISO 22000 standard is not recognized by the GFSI, because it is considered too generic and less adapted to sectoral specificities.

FSSC 22000, more detailed and comprehensive than ISO 22000

• In addition to building on the strong foundation of ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 incorporates additional requirements and Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) designed specifically for each sector, such as manufacturing, transportation and distribution. These additions give greater precision and relevance to the standard.
• ISO 22000, for its part, relies on a more general and flexible approach, without imposing specific PRPs, referring instead to existing industry standards or good practices.

FSSC 22000 favours large companies, while ISO 22000 is more suitable for SMEs

• Designed for large structures, the FSSC 22000 standard perfectly meets the requirements of GFSI, customers and business partners. It is suitable for companies with the resources to develop a comprehensive food safety management system.
• Conversely, ISO 22000 is more accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking a flexible standard, adaptable to their context and needs. It offers international recognition without requiring GFSI certification.