ISO 22000 is a foundational standard for food safety management, while FSSC 22000 is a more comprehensive certification scheme that builds on ISO 22000, adding sector-specific Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) and extra requirements, notably its recognition by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The main difference is GFSI approval; FSSC 22000 provides the GFSI-benchmarked certification many large retailers require, whereas ISO 22000 is a generic, globally recognized standard not explicitly GFSI-approved.
FSSC 22000 scheme has more requirements to be implemented compared to ISO 22000. FSSC 22000 consists of three main components: a) ISO 22000: FSSC 22000 is based on the international standard ISO 22000, which specifies the requirements for a food safety management system.
If you own a food business, FSSAI is not an option. If you manufacture regulated products, BIS can be mandatory. If you have to scale or expand internal systems, ISO can give you a global competitive edge.
ISO 22000 on its own is not recognised by GFSI as a benchmarked certification programme. While it provides a solid foundation for food safety management systems, it does not meet all of the benchmarking requirements set out by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
ISO 9001 centres on enhancing quality and customer satisfaction across industries, while ISO 22000 prioritises food safety within the food supply chain. Choosing wisely to align your organisation's goals and industry focus with the appropriate excellence and safety standards can result in positive outcomes.
ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 are globally recognized standards addressing food safety management. ISO 22000 is a standalone international standard, while FSSC 22000 uses ISO 22000 as its basis and includes additional sector-specific requirements.
ISO 9001 is the world's best-known quality management standard for companies and organizations of any size.
ISO 22000 sets out the requirements for a food safety management system and can be certified to it. It maps out what an organization needs to do to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards in order to ensure that food is safe.
ISO 22000 requires a more extensive documentation process to ensure that all elements of the food safety management system are recorded and maintained. HACCP requires documentation related to the food safety plan design and implementation.
ISO 22000 is built upon four core principles that form the foundation of an effective FSMS:
Five of the most important and widely recognized ISO standards are ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), and ISO 22000 (Food Safety), providing frameworks for organizations to improve processes, manage risks, ensure compliance, and build customer trust across various critical business functions.
Now let's begin with the 7 principles of ISO 9001, which are Customer Focus, Leadership, Engagement of People, Process Approach, Improvement, Evidence-Based Decision Making, and Relationship Management.
You can help keep your family safe from food poisoning at home by following these four simple steps: clean, separate, cook and, chill.
Benefits of becoming certified
FSSC 22000 provides a certification scheme that ensures a robust food safety management system to control food safety hazards, minimize risks, and ensure safe food production.
Seven basic principles are employed in the development of HACCP plans that meet the stated goal. These principles include hazard analysis, CCP identification, establishing critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, verification procedures, and record-keeping and documentation.
Think of FSSC 22000 as a flexible model that allows companies to create a system tailored to their operations while still meeting international food safety requirements. The difference between BRC and FSSC 22000 becomes visible here: FSSC gives more freedom while BRC is more structured.
The Difference Between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 lies in their scope and specificity. ISO 22000 offers a broad framework for food safety, while FSSC 22000 adds sector-specific requirements and GFSI recognition.
In HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points), the three main categories of food safety hazards identified and controlled are Biological (like bacteria, viruses, parasites), Chemical (like allergens, pesticides, cleaners, toxins), and Physical (like glass, metal, plastic, stones). These categories form the foundation of the hazard analysis, the first step in building a robust food safety system to prevent illness or injury.
ISO 22000 Certification is the most applicable ISO standard for these industries. ISO 22000 Certification is an internationally recognized standard that assists you in maintaining universally accepted food safety processes in your organization.
The Core Trio: ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001
This is the most popular combination, and for good reason: ISO 9001 (Quality Management) ensures your products and services consistently meet customer requirements. It's the foundation—helping you build processes that work.
A: ISO is an international organization that develops standards for quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and more. On the other hand, FDA is a regulatory agency specific to the United States that oversees the safety and effectiveness of products related to public health.
Here are some of the most common ISO standards in the manufacturing industry:
Certified By International Organizations
Food Safety Management Systems certified under FSSC 22000, quality system through ISO9001, occupational safety and health under ISO18001 and for the protection of Environment through ISO14001..
Triple Certification is a unified approach to business management systems that combines ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management).