The latest information on the new food safety certification scheme: FS22000
May 12, 2010
Over the last few years, food contamination recalls have brought the concept of global food safety to the forefront, leading to the establishment of new global food safety standards. Now more than ever, it is critical that any organization producing, handling, or distributing food products has a systematic, documented approach to identifying and controlling potential hazards.
The new food safety certification scheme FS22000 is approved by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative), and defines in great detail how to implement food safety measures (such as hygiene or pest control) as prerequisite programs. This approach is taken in addition to the systematic management approach of a management system standard such as ISO 22000.
FS22000 was, until recently, known as FSSC 22000. The scheme’s owner, the Foundation for Food Safety Systems Certification (FSSC), renamed it for ease of pronunciation.
Intertek can perform audits to FS22000 globally, as the company has a collaboration contract with the FSSC and is accredited to ISO 22003.
FS22000 is applicable to ALL food manufacturers that process or make:
- perishable animal products (i.e. meat, poultry, eggs, dairy and fish products), excluding slaughtering and pre-slaughtering
- perishable vegetal products (i.e. packaged fresh fruits and fresh juices, preserved fruits, packaged fresh vegetables, preserved vegetables)
- products with long shelf life at ambient temperature (i.e. canned products, biscuits, snacks, oil, drinking water, beverages, pasta, flour, sugar, salt)
- (bio)chemical products for food manufacturing (i.e. vitamins additives and biocultures), excluding technical and technological aids
At this time, the FS22000 certification scheme is published and available for free download at www.fssc22000.com. Organizations already certified to ISO 22000 simply need to complete an additional audit to PAS 220 in order to meet the requirements of FS22000.
For further insight, Intertek’s global program manager for food safety management systems, Ms. Karin Rosberg, can be reached at +46 8 750 03 33 or karin.rosberg@intertek.com.