FSSC 22000
FSSC 22000
Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 is an internationally accepted certification scheme based on a combination of ISO 22000 sector specific PRP and FSSC additional requirements. FSSC 22000 has been developed in respond to customer demands for a recognizable standard against which a food safety management system can be audited and certified.
FSSC 22000 was given Global Recognition by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative), as well as other food safety schemes such as BRC or IFS. The certification scheme is owned by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification.
FSSC 22000 has been developed for the certification of food safety systems, which guarantee the safety of products during primary production of animal products, manufacture of perishable animal and/or vegetable products, products with a long shelf life and (other) food ingredients like additives, vitamins and bio-cultures, animal food and feed production and food packaging manufacturing, and recently included catering, retail/wholesale and transport and storage services.
BENEFITS OF FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
Cuts investigation time to a minimum- The management system helps you to reduce food safety breach investigation time.
Customer satisfaction- Deliver products that consistently meet customer requirements and a service that is dependable and can be relied on.
Global recognition as a reputable supplier- Certification is recognized internationally and accepted throughout industry supply chains, setting industry benchmarks for sourcing suppliers.
Proven business credentials- Independent verification against a globally recognized industry standard speaks volumes.
Legal compliance-Understand how statutory and regulatory requirements impact your organization and its customers.
Ability to win more business- Procurement specifications often require certification as a condition to supply, so certification opens doors.
Respond to situations- Ideal for responding to situations that can compromise the food safety of both products and production processes.
FSSC SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
FSSC 22000 Logo – Certified organizations are entitled to use the FSSC 22000 logo. It may be used on the organization’s printed matter, website and other promotional material subject to the following design specification.
Use of logo in black and white is permitted when all other text and imagines are in black and white. The FSSC logo is not allowed to be used on a product, its labelling, its packaging, or in any other manner that implies FSSC 22000 approves a product, process or service.
NC grading – There are three possible grading levels when raising a NC against FSSC: minor, major and critical nonconformities. The specific timeframe for handling NC will be specified in the audit report and provided to the organization on each visit (if required).
A minor nonconformity will be issued when the finding does not affect the capability of the management system to achieve the intended results. Major NC will be issued when the finding affects the capability of the management system to achieve the intended results, and Critical NC is issued when food safety is directly impacted during the audit or when legality and/or certification integrity are at stake.
Termination of certification contract – when critical nonconformities are not effectively solved by a certified organization within the specified timeframe provided by RCPL, the FSSC 22000 certificate will be immediately withdrawn. Additionally, failure to achieve the deadline specified for a Major NC will result in raising a Critical NC. A Major NC could also be raised when an action plan has not been carried out within the timeframe specified when raising a minor nonconformity.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FSSC 22000 AND ISO 22000.
ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 are both international standards and both relate to the most important components for ensuring food safety. Two certification schemes that are very similar and play a key role in ensuring safe and high-quality food products. What are the most important differences?
The two schemes are very similar, because the FSSC 22000 scheme uses ISO 22000 as a requirement for the management system. However, the FSSC 22000 contains additional requirements, including the Pre-Requisite Program (PRP), or universal procedures used to control the operating conditions in food factories and the specific requirements of the FSSC to ensure consistency, integrity and management of the system itself.
The main difference between the two certifications is that the FSSC 22000 scheme, in contrast to the ISO standard, is recognized by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). GFSI recognition demonstrates that the scheme meets the highest standards globally leading to international food industry acceptance.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Food Safety Policy
- Hazard Control Plan
- FSMS or Management Manual
- Procedures
- Food Safety Improvement Plan (monitoring food safety objectives and targets)
- Food Defence Plan
- Food Fraud Vulnerability Plan
- Emergency Plan
- Allergen Management Plan
- Records for OPRP & CCP monitoring
- Registers for nonconformances and corrective action.
