FSSC 22000, Food Safety System Certification standard, is the latest certification scheme for food manufacturers. The scheme is based on the integration of ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management Systems standard and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 220. Supported by the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA), FSSC 22000 has been fully approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
FS22000
Where the official name of the scheme still is FSSC 22000, both board members and users of the scheme prefer the shorter indication FS22000 or even FS22k and FS22.
What does the scheme cover?
It has been developed for the certification of food safety systems of food manufacturers that process or manufacture animal products (not including slaughtering and pre-slaughtering), perishable vegetal products, products with a long shelf life and (other) food ingredients like additives, vitamins and bio-cultures
Who is the scheme for?
The standard is designed for food manufacturers who supply or intend to supply their products to major food retailers or major branded food companies. Manufacturers that are already certified against the ISO 22000 standard will only need an additional review against the PAS 220 in order to meet the FSSC 22000 certification scheme.
Accepted by buyers
Many food manufacturers are under pressure to meet various customer requirements. This can lead to multiple audits and systems so the cost can become onerous. As FSSC 22000 has been approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), it allows companies that achieve FSSC 22000 certification to meet the requirements of several global retailers or major branded food companies under a single, internationally recognized food safety management system.
Who does the audit?
One of QMI-SAI Global’s food safety auditors will carry out the audit.
Who does the certification?
QMI-SAI Global’s team of certification officers.
About GFSI
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), co-ordinated by CIES - The Food Business Forum, was launched in May 2000. The GFSI Foundation Board, a retailer-driven group, with manufacturer advisory members, provides the strategic direction and oversees the daily management.
Under the umbrella of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), 7 major retailers have come to a common acceptance of four GFSI benchmarked food safety schemes.
The benchmarking work undertaken by the standard owners and other key stakeholders on four food safety schemes (BRC, IFS, Dutch HACCP and SQF) has now reached a point of convergence. Each scheme has now aligned itself with common criteria defined by food safety experts from the food business, with the objective of making food manufacture as safe as possible. As a result, this will also drive cost efficiency in the supply chain and reduce the duplication of audits.
For more information about GFSI, please visit:
http://www.ciesnet.com.
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