What is ISO 22000?
ISO 22000 is an international standard that specifies the requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS). It is designed to ensure that organizations in the food chain can consistently provide safe products and services. The standard integrates the principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and application steps developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. It combines generally recognized key elements to ensure food safety along the food chain, including interactive communication, system management, and prerequisite programs.
Why is ISO 22000 important?
ISO 22000 is crucial for consumers and companies as it enables organizations to improve their overall performance when it comes to food safety, by adopting a systematic approach. It helps identify, prevent, and control food safety hazards at every stage of the food chain – from farm to fork. This standard is applicable to all organizations, regardless of size or complexity, involved in the production of food, supplies and food contact materials, as well as in retail, catering and other related services.
Benefits of ISO 22000
- Enhanced food safety: Ensures that food products are safe for consumption.
- Regulatory compliance: Helps organizations meet legal requirements.
- Improved customer confidence: Builds trust with consumers and stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to food safety.
- Operational efficiency: Streamlines processes and reduces the risk of food safety incidents.
- Market access: Facilitates entry into new markets and improves competitiveness.
FAQ
ISO 22000 is applicable to all organizations in the food chain, including primary producers and food manufacturers, transport and storage operators, caterers, retailers, and even subcontractors.
Following the same High-Level Structure (HLS) as other ISO management system standards, such as ISO 9001 (quality management), it is designed in a way that it can be integrated into an organization’s existing management processes but can also be used alone.
Thematically, ISO 22000 is part of a family of standards that includes the ISO/TS 22002 series (prerequisite programs on food safety), and the ISO 22003 series (requirements for bodies providing food safety related conformity assessment), among others. These related standards provide additional guidelines and requirements to support the implementation and maintenance of a robust food safety management system.
The key components include interactive communication, system management, prerequisite programs, and the principles of HACCP.
Certification to ISO/IEC 22000 is one way to demonstrate to stakeholders and customers that your food safety management system meets the requirements of this International Standard, which means that you are committed and able to manage potential hazards and keep consumers safe.
Certification is not a requirement of ISO 22000 and many organizations benefit from using the standard without seeking certification. If you do opt to get certified, the first step is to find a reputable third-party certifying body as ISO does not perform certification.
General information
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Status: PublishedPublication date: 2018-06
Corrected version: 2018-11Stage: International Standard to be revised [90.92] -
Edition: 2Number of pages: 37
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Technical Committee :ISO/TC 34/SC 17
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Amendments
Amendments are issued when it is found that new material may need to be added to an existing standardization document. They may also include editorial or technical corrections to be applied to the existing document.
Life cycle
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Previously
WithdrawnISO 22000:2005
WithdrawnISO 22000:2005/Cor 1:2006
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Now
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Preliminary
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Proposal
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Preparatory
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Committee
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Enquiry
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Approval
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Publication
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Review
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95
Withdrawal
Amendments
Provide additional content; available for purchase; not included in the text of the existing standard.PublishedISO 22000:2018/Amd 1:2024
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Will be replaced by
Under developmentISO/AWI 22000