Food Safety Management embodies a strategic approach to guaranteeing the safety of food products from farm to fork. It encompasses a suite of best practices, standards, and regulations aimed at averting foodborne illnesses and safeguarding public health.
FSSC 22000 stands as a prestigious, internationally acknowledged certification scheme, pivotal for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). Rooted in the comprehensive ISO 22000 standard, it encompasses tailored Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs) along with supplementary criteria. This certification framework is meticulously structured to assist entities within the food industry in showcasing their proficiency in managing food safety risks and upholding the safety of food products.
Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs):
Additional FSSC 22000 Requirements:
Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
A Structured Path to Safety
The FSMS offers a strategic framework for effectively managing food safety risks, encompassing:
Streamlining Certification: A Step-by-Step Guide to FSSC 22000
Organizations may opt for a gap analysis to pinpoint areas for improvement, setting the stage for successful certification.
Stage 1 Audit:
Stage 2 Audit:
The certification body will make an informed decision on awarding certification based on audit findings.
Annual audits are conducted to ensure ongoing adherence to FSSC 22000 standards.
Comprehensive audits every three years are necessary to renew the certification.
FSSC 22000 Certification: Your Blueprint for Food Safety Excellence
The Scheme Documents are the cornerstone for organizations aspiring to achieve FSSC 22000 certification. These comprehensive guidelines are crafted to assist businesses in evaluating, shaping, executing, and refining their food safety management systems.
FSSC 22000 is built upon a foundation of international standards, including ISO 22000 for food safety management, ISO 22003-1 for audit and certification, and sector-specific technical specifications for Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs). Together, they form a robust framework for ensuring food safety across the global supply chain.
Transitioning to FSSC 22000 Version 6: A Forward Leap in Food Safety
The FSSC 22000 Scheme has evolved to Version 6, released by the Foundation FSSC in April 2023, building upon the solid foundation of Version 5.1. Here’s what you need to know about the transition:
Audit Timeline: Audits can be conducted under FSSC 22000 v5.1 until March 31, 2024. From April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, upgrade audits will transition to FSSC 22000 v6.
The advancement to Version 6 is driven by several key enhancements:
Enhanced PRPs: Updating the Prerequisite Program Requirements to reflect the latest in food safety practices.
Strategic Business Objectives & Skill Development: A Synergistic Approach
QMet: Your Trusted Certification Partner: At QMet, we take pride in our track record of certifying a wide range of organizations. Our portfolio includes esteemed entities such as STC, Saudi Investment Bank, Salaam, and TABADUL (Saudi e-Tabadul).
Adaptable Certification Solutions with QMet
At QMet, we understand that businesses are dynamic entities. They grow, evolve, and change shape. Whether it’s the addition of new locations, the introduction of novel activities, or changes in staff numbers, rest assured, we’re equipped to support you through every transition.
Our commitment is to provide flexible certification solutions tailored to your evolving business landscape. We offer adaptable options to modify your scope, standards, and management system, ensuring they remain in perfect sync with your operational needs.
Honesty is the cornerstone of our partnership. We ask that you keep us informed of any changes as they occur. This transparency allows us to maintain a collaborative partnership, where certification is a seamless aspect of your business growth, not a hurdle to overcome.
Elevating Standards with Comprehensive Food Safety
Our system provides a robust framework that meticulously manages food safety risks, ensuring every product is safe for consumer enjoyment.
Our certification is globally esteemed, earning the trust of major retailers, manufacturers, and food service entities around the world.
We facilitate organizations in meeting both regulatory mandates and customer expectations pertaining to food safety.
We employ a systematic approach to identify and manage food safety hazards across the entire supply chain.
Our certification serves as a key to unlocking new markets, fostering stronger bonds with stakeholders and customers alike.
By weaving food safety management into the fabric of business operations, we streamline processes and enhance overall efficiency.
FSSC 22000 builds upon the solid base of ISO 22000, enhancing it with sector-specific Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs) and additional requirements for a more thorough approach to food safety.
While BRCGS, IFS, and SQF are respected global food safety standards, FSSC 22000 distinguishes itself by offering a more expansive framework. It achieves this through the integration of universally recognized ISO standards and tailored PRPs, catering to the unique needs of different food sector categories.
To address the specific needs of different food sectors, a series of Technical Specifications have been introduced, such as ISO/TS 22001-2 for catering, ISO/TS 22002-4 for food packaging, ISO/TS 22002-6 for animal feed, and ISO/TS 22002-5 for transport and storage.
Current Compliance: Since April 1st, 2021, all organizations seeking certification or renewal must align with Version 5.1 of the scheme, as set forth by the FSSC Foundation in November 2020.
Certification Visibility: Registration with the Foundation places your organization within a publicly accessible database, showcasing your certified status—a tool often utilized by customers and regulatory bodies to confirm your adherence to food safety standards.
Audit Transparency: By agreeing to the Foundation’s terms, organizations consent to having Foundation auditors observe NQA auditors during FSSC 22000 audit processes, reflecting a commitment to transparency and excellence.
QMet: Pioneers in Certification and Quality Excellence
QMet stands as a beacon of certification excellence, with a rich history of involvement in a diverse array of management system certifications, inspections, calibrations, testing, and personnel qualifications. Our journey towards accreditation is in full swing, aligning with esteemed bodies such as the Gulf Accreditation Center, Saudi Accreditation Center, SASO, Saber, and SFDA. This strategic move is in accordance with the standards set by the International Accreditation Forum and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation. Since our inception in 2005, QMet has been at the forefront of industry innovation. Our dedicated team has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to grasp the intricate needs of the industry, crafting reliable and robust solutions that cater to a wide spectrum of requirements.