FSSC standard is the short form of “Food Safety System Certification” and the combination of ISO 22000, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS), or ISO/TS 22002-1 part -1 (Food manufacturing and other additional requirements) and part 2- (packing requirements and other additional requirements). FSSC is recognized by Global Food Safety Initiatives (GFSI), which is responsible for benchmarking food safety management schemes to provide convergence between the food safety standards. FSSC 22000 can be reached by incorporating the additional requirement to ISO 22000 certificate. FSSC 22000 Scheme has 3 components of ISO 22000, Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs) such as ISO/TS 22002-1, and FSSC 22000 specific requirements. The active companies and suppliers of dried fruits and nuts need to have this standard to access the international market.
Why FSSC 22000?
This standard can be used for all organizations despite their size and complexity in food manufacturing. This program is designed for food manufacturers who supply or plan to supply their products to major food retailers. The manufacturers having ISO 22000 and get FSSC 22000 certificate by only adding some additional requirements to meet FSSC 22000 Scheme. The newest one is published in November 2020 as FSSC 22000 Scheme V5.1. Having this certificate adds a higher validity to the products particularly in the US and Canada markets. The exported dried fruits and nuts to the global market require this standard.
The benefits of FSSC 22000 standard
- Organizational commitment toward food safety
- Developing the internal system of food safety management
- Reducing the legal obligation of the products
- Higher global market access by providing a higher reputation for the products
- Reducing recalls, withdrawal, non-conformances, re-process, etc.
- Better hazard risk management and HACCP implementation
- Reducing the obligation and compliance inspections
How to get FSSC 22000 certificate?
The following steps should be taken to be ready to get FSSC 22000 certificate:
- Implementing gap analysis, food safety policy, food safety management objectives
- Determining role, responsibility, authorities, identifying and assembling the core group, team leader, etc.
- Management system documentation level 1 to 4, pre-requisite program operational PRPs, hazard evaluation, critical control point, HACCP plan, food safety plan, validation plan, and verification plan
- Awareness training of the staff
- Training the internal auditors to conduct an internal audit
- Management reviewing meeting
- Using certification body
- Stage-1 audit by certification body for readiness
- Final Stage-2 Certification audit
- Non-conformance closure with evidence submitted to the certification body
- Issue of FSSC 22000 certificate by certificate body
Verifying your organization name, address, contact detail, and scope of certificate online on the FSSC22000 website.
Foodlord Co. considers all the requirements of FSSC 22000 standard to provide dried fruits, dried vegetables, and nuts with the best quality.
Ref:
- What is FSSC 22000 standard in food industry?
- FSSC 22000 Basics