Frequently Asked Questions on FSSC 22000:2010
The process described in FSSC 22000, Food Safety System Certification includes the following steps:
- Identify, evaluate, and control the food safety hazards that may be expected to occur in order to avoid harming the consumer directly or indirectly.
- Communicate appropriate information through the food chain regarding safety issues related to the product.
- Communicate information concerning development, implementation, and updating of the food safety management system throughout the organization.
- Evaluate periodically and update, when necessary, the food safety management system to cover the company’s actual activities and the most recent information on food safety hazards.
One of the most important things to remember is that development, implementation, documentation and certification of a food safety management system is a continuous journey, with the independent audit representing one element of the total assessment process.
4C’s team of FSSC 22000 consultants will help your organisation prepare itself for the necessary changes and preparation for the certification.
Extension of scope FSSC 22000 with Food Packaging Material Manufacturing
The Foundation for Food Safety Certification, owner of the FSSC 22000 certification scheme, will extend the certification scope of FSSC 22000 with Packaging Material Manufacturing according the recent publication of the PAS 223 – Prerequisite programmes and design requirements for food safety in the manufacture and provision of food packaging.
The PAS 223 is developed by a Steering Group, consisting of leading global packaging and food manufacturing companies. The fact that members of the working group are representatives from international food manufacturers (like Coca Cola, Unilever, Danone, Nestlé, Kraft) but also from international packaging material manufacturers (like TetraPak, Rexam, Amcor, O-I, Berry Plastics) gives the Board of the Foundation great confidence that there will be a need for certification.
Next to the need for extension of the FSSC scope this development is also in line with the commitment for FSSC from the international food manufacturers. They are in favour of the supply chain model in which FSSC can provide certification for more sectors in the supply chain, based on ISO 22000 and technical specifications for sector PRP’s. At this moment experts from the Packaging Material Industry and the Foundation are working on this extension of scope.
If your company is currently ISO 22000 certified, then the only requirement will be an additional and typically shorter audit to verify compliance of your system to the requirements of PAS 220:2008. An FSSC 22000 certificate will be issued following successful audit.
- Gap-analysis, to help you understand your best route to certification
- Training on FSSC 22000, ISO 22000 and PAS 220 – ISO TS 22002-1
- Documentation, implementation and certification support activities according to FSSC 22000:2010 standard requirements
