ISO 22000 explained: food safety management for the whole chain

ISO 22000 certification is the international standard for managing food safety across the entire food chain. It specifies requirements for a food safety management system that enables an organisation to supply safe products and services for their intended use. This article explains the standard’s scope, the organisations it applies to, and what certification involves.

The purpose of ISO 22000:2018

The full title of the standard is “Food safety management systems — Requirements for any organization in the food chain.” The version examined here is ISO 22000:2018, the second edition, published on 18 June 2018. It was developed by ISO/TC 34/SC 17, the technical committee responsible for food safety management. This standard has been superseded by a newer edition.

The standard’s purpose is to help an organisation plan, implement, operate, maintain and update a food safety management system (FSMS). It also enables an organisation to demonstrate compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory food safety requirements, evaluate mutually agreed customer requirements, and communicate food safety issues effectively to interested parties within the food chain.

Which organisations the standard applies to

The requirements are generic and intended for all organisations in the food chain, regardless of size or complexity. Organisations directly or indirectly involved include feed producers, animal food producers, harvesters of wild plants and animals, farmers, and producers of ingredients. It also covers food manufacturers, retailers, food services, catering services, cleaning and sanitation services, transportation, storage and distribution, and suppliers of equipment, cleaning products and disinfectants.

Benefits of a food safety management system

Adopting ISO 22000 gives an organisation a systematic way to conform to its stated food safety policy. The system supports demonstration of conformity to relevant interested parties, which is valuable for customer confidence and regulatory relationships. The standard also allows an organisation to seek certification from an external body, or to make a self-assessment or self-declaration of conformity. This flexibility means a business can choose the level of formal recognition it needs.

The road to ISO 22000 certification

The standard explicitly permits two routes to demonstrate conformity: self-assessment or self-declaration, and certification or registration of the FSMS by an external organisation. Most businesses in the UAE and GCC pursue ISO 22000 certification because it gives independent confirmation of their food safety management system. For organisations in the region, working with a certification partner that knows the local food chain is a practical step.

Frequently asked questions

What is ISO 22000?

ISO 22000 is an international standard that specifies requirements for a food safety management system. The reference used in this article is ISO 22000:2018, the second edition. It applies to any organisation in the food chain and covers planning, implementation, communication and compliance.

Who needs ISO 22000?

Any organisation directly or indirectly involved in the food chain can use ISO 22000. This includes feed producers, farmers, food manufacturers, retailers, caterers, transport and storage providers, and suppliers of cleaning and sanitation services. The standard is generic, so it applies to organisations of all sizes and complexity.

How does ISO 22000 relate to HACCP?

The data provided for this article does not contain any information about HACCP. Accordingly, no relationship between ISO 22000 and HACCP can be stated from the available facts. For accurate details, consult a certification body that works with ISO 22000.