Introduction to FSSC 22000

Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 is an ISO-based, internationally accepted certification scheme for auditing and certification of food safety through the entire supply chain.
FSSC 22000 uses the existing ISO 22000 standard and also includes the technical specifications for sector-specific Pre Requisite Programmes (PRPs)
FSSC 22000 was developed following a broad consultation with a number of stakeholders including Global Food Safety Initiative of Foundation of CIES (GFSI), British Standards Institution (BSI), and Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA). As a result, FSSC 22000 has been given full recognition by the GFSI and is accepted by accreditation bodies worldwide.
Pre Requisite Programmes (PRPs):
To broadly summarise, FSSC 22000 is more prescriptive around Pre Requisite Programmes and is based on TS 22002 and PAS 220 (Prerequisite programmes on food safety for food manufacturing). These include requirements around construction and layout of buildings, layout of premises workspace, and utilities - air, water, energy, waste disposal, equipment suitability, cleaning and maintenance, to name a few.
'Food chain approach' to food safety:
From an ISO perspective, stakeholders in the chain are required to take into account the food safety hazards of their operation when establishing prerequisite and HACCP programmes.
FSSC 22000 builds on this and promotes a proactive food chain approach by food businesses when developing, implementing and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of a food safety management system, as well as the proactive identification and collaboratory approach to management of up-stream and down-stream risk, including how suppliers are selected, and how utilities, transport and preventive maintenance is managed by food businesses.
To stay up-to-date with the very latest industry requirements, for HACCP training that goes beyond the seven principles, and for the 18-point guide to PAS 220 and the TS 22002 standards, contact [e-mail]
Elements of this article have been collated from the FSSC 22000 website.
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