Easily obtain FSSC 22000 Certificate for Your Business

What is the FSSC 22000 Certificate? 

Food Safety System Certification 22000, or FSSC 22000 Certificate, is a globally recognised certification scheme that ensures food safety and combines ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System) with sector-specific prerequisite programmes (PRPs). It is a comprehensive framework that manages food safety and eliminates potential risks. It is benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and mandates food retailers and manufacturers to meet robust food safety standards. 

What are the key principles of quality management outlined in the FSSC 22000 certificate?

The key principles of quality management outlined in the FSSC 22000 certificate include: 

• Customer Focus: Ensuring customer satisfaction and providing high-quality products that meet customers' expectations. 
• Leadership: Establishing high commitment goals towards food safety and quality and defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability.  
• Risk Analysis: Identification of food safety risks and adoption of effective measures to minimise them. 
• Process Approach: Managing interconnected processes effectively to ensure control over inputs, outputs, and daily operations. 
• Prerequisite Programs: Implementing hygiene and operational controls like cleaning, pest control, equipment management, and supplier management. 
• Continuous Improvement: Looking for continuous improvement of the organisation through management reviews, performance monitoring and internal audits. 
• Evidence-based Decision Making: Monitoring records and documents to make an informed decision. 
• Compliance: Adhering to national food safety laws and standards to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Effective Communication: Establishing clear and transparent communication to ensure updates, information and complaints are effectively handled. 

By following these principles, organisations can ensure a flawless and effective Food Management Safety System and mitigate risks before they become a major problem. Adhering to these principles also ensures customer satisfaction and boosts the brand’s identity globally.  

What are the key requirements for obtaining the FSSC 22000 Certificate?

Here is an overview of the key requirement for obtaining the FSSC 22000 certificate: 

• Food Safety Management System Based on ISO 22000: The organisation must implement a well-structured and clearly defined food safety management system that includes management’s objectives, roles, responsibilities, risk analysis and management, HACCP principles, corrective actions, and documentation. 
• Sector-Specific Prerequisite Program (PRPs): For an FSSC 22000 certificate, an organisation needs a PRP programme tailored to the specific needs and requirements of their organisation. It includes pest control, cleaning and sanitisation, personal hygiene, equipment maintenance, and allergen control. 
• Documentation and Record: The organisation needs key documents and policies, including a food safety policy, HACCP plans, operational records, internal audit reports, and management review output.   
• Internal Audit and Management Review: Before obtaining a certificate, the organisation should conduct an internal audit and management review to check the compliance, effectiveness and performance of the organisation. This ensures your system is fully functioning and the organisation is ready for certification. 

Additional Requirements

• Food Assessment: An overall assessment of the quality of food and other products, including raw material, ingredients, supplies, and packages. 
• Risk Assessment: Conducting risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities in the facility, storage area, security and control to prevent contamination and damage. 
• Equipment Management: Ensure all the equipment is sanitised, clean, and suitable for the intended purpose. 
• Communication: The organisation must communicate with the Certification Body regularly and communicate all the changes, records, and incidents.  

What are the benefits of the FSSC 22000 certificate? 

A globally recognised FSSC 22000 certificate offers numerous advantages to the organisation. Some of them are: 

1. Global Recognition: The FSSC 22000 certificate provides global recognition to the organisation, which further enhances the reputation and credibility of the organisation. 

2. Improved Operational Efficiency: One of the key benefits of the certificate is that it helps the organisation to cut its operational costs by organising processes, functions, and management in a specified manner. 

3. Increased Market Access: The certificate provides global recognition and opens the path toward global trade. It enhances the organisation to unlock many global opportunities. 

4. Build Customer’s Trust: The certificate helps organisations to build customers’ trust in their products and assure them the food is of high quality and safe for consumption. 

5. Legal Compliance: It acts as a document of proof that the company complies with all the legal requirements of the FSSAI Act, the FSS Rules, and the Food Safety and Standard Rules. 

6. Risk Reduction: It mitigates the risk of contamination and food safety incidents, reflecting a safe and hygienic environment. 

7. Better Supply Management: Ensures the organisation has effective control over the supply and utilises the raw material to its fullest.

8. Continuous Improvement: The certificate reflects a continuous improvement in the organisation through regular audits, continuous monitoring, and management reviews.  

9. Competitive Advantages: It provides a competitive advantage by differentiating your organisation from non-certified competitors.  

Why Choose the FSSC 22000 Certificate?

The FSSC 22000 certificate is a globally recognised benchmark that highlights the organisation’s commitment towards food safety, hygiene, and quality. The certificate is globally accepted by international buyers, retailers, and other recognised authorities. Organisations looking ahead to expand their operation and business in the global market should possess an FSSC 22000 certificate. 

The certificate reflects brand credibility and helps them boost customers’ confidence in their product in the international market. Furthermore, it combines ISO 22000, PRPs, and food fraud prevention techniques that guarantee the safety, trustworthiness, and reliability of the product. 

Choosing FSSC 22000 helps food businesses achieve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability in a highly competitive market. 

What are the stages involved in the FSSC 22000 certification process? 

Here is a detailed step-by-step process involved in the FSSC 22000 certification process: 

1. Preparation and Planning:

1. Understanding Requirements: Analyse the FSSC 22000 certificate requirements like HACCP requirements, PRPs, and other requirements. 

2. Resource Planning: Make a detailed plan of the roles, responsibilities, infrastructure, and 

resources needed for the implementation. 

2. Implementation:

1. FSMS Development: Develop a Food Safety Management System and outline the food safety policies, objectives, risk management plan, and control measures. 

2. Implementation: Implement the plan across all departments of the organisation, ensuring procedures are strictly followed by the employees. 

3. Documentation: 

1. Document Preparation: Prepare all the necessary documents, such as the food safety manual, procedures, records, and SOPs. 

2. Document Management: Update the documents regularly and include all the new policies and regulatory changes. 

4. Internal Audit: 

1. Internal Assessment: Conduct an internal audit to verify the authenticity of the document and compliance with FSSC 22000 requirements. 

2. Non-Conformance Identification: Identify the gaps and non-conformities in the process and take corrective actions. 

5. Management Review:  

1. Review Performance: Conduct a review meeting with a specialist to analyse FSMS performance, audit results and overall management of the organisation. 

2. Decision Making: Take corrective measures and effective decisions for overall improvement. 

6. Stage 1 Audit (Document Review)

1. Evaluation: The certification body will deeply review and analyse the documented information and assess readiness for certification. 

2. Gap Identification: Any gaps in the documentation are identified, and corrective measures are taken before the final audit. 

7. Stage 2 Audit (Certification Audit)

1. On-Site Audit: The auditor visits the organisation for effectively analysing the implementation of the food safety management system. 

2. Compliance Verification: The auditor ensures that the organisation complied with ISO 22000, PRPs, and FSSC mandatory requirements. 

8. Certificate Decision:

1. Audit Evaluation: The certification body reviews and analyses the audit report to evaluate whether to grant the certificate or not. 

2. Certificate Issuance: After successful evaluation, the FSSC 22000 certificate is issued to the organisation. 

9. Surveillance Audit:

1. Periodic Audits: The regulatory body conducts annual audits to ensure continuous compliance.

2. System Improvement: The regulatory body monitors the continuous FSMS improvement.