The consequences of unsafe food can be very serious. Whatever their product or the size of their organisation, all food producers have a responsibility to manage the safety of their products and the wellbeing of their consumers. Therefore, a Food Safety Management System exists.
ISO 22000:2018 and FSSC 22000:2020 are both internationally recognised standards. Both relate to the most important components of guaranteeing food safety, but the main difference between the two certifications is that the FSSC 22000:2020 Standard, in contrast to the ISO 22000:2018 standard, is recognised by the GFSI-Global Food Safety Initiative.
ISO 22000:2018 explained
The ISO 22000:2018 standard was first issued in 2005 and last reviewed and updated in 2018. Therefore, ISO 22000: 2018 is the latest ISO 22000 Standard. ISO 22000:2018 is a Food Safety Management System based on the HACCP principles. HACCP, which is an acronym for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, is a systematic and preventative system. Food safety is addressed through the control and analysis of chemical, biological, and physical hazards from raw material procurement, production, and handling to manufacturing, distribution, and consumption of the finished product.
This standard was established to safeguard food safety, as well as to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations.
ISO 22000:2018 is a Food Safety Management System applied by the food industry. It focuses on applying the essentials of a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001:2015.
The ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System refers to a list of Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs) that must be implemented but does not indicate how these PRPs should be applied.
ISO 22000:2018 provides a common framework across the entire supply chain to manage requirements, communication (internally and externally) and continually improve the Food Safety Management System. This standard is suitable for any organisations for example production companies, transport companies, and the retail sector. In addition, ISO 22000:2018 certification can also be granted to organisations in the service industry.
So, what is FSSC 22000:2020 then?
FSSC 22000:2020 Scheme (Food Safety System Certification 22000) is an ISO-based, internationally accepted certification for auditing and certification of food safety within the food and beverage manufacturing sector. By being developed through extensive consultation with global contributors, the FSSC 22000:2020 Standard uses international standards such as ISO 22000:2018, ISO 9001:2015, ISO/TS 22003:2013 and technical specifications for sector-specific Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs), such as ISO/TS 22002-1:2009.
By being developed through extensive consultation with global contributors, the FSSC 22000:2020 Scheme uses international standards such as ISO 22000:2018, ISO 9001:2015, ISO/TS 22003:2013 and technical specifications for sector-specific Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs), such as ISO/TS 22002-1:2009.
FSSC 22000:2020 Scheme consists of the following:
- FSSC 22000:2020 is recognised by GFSI, and uses ISO 22000:2018 and ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 as the requirements for certification;
- ISO 22000:2018 contains the Food Safety Management System requirements and is used along with requirements for Prerequisite Programs for the appropriate industry sector;
- Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 223 contains Prerequisite Programs for all food packaging manufacturers;
- Food Safety ISO 22000:2018 provides a common framework across the entire supply chain to manage requirements, communication (internally and externally) and continually improve the Food Safety Management System. This standard is suitable for any organisation for example production companies, transport companies, and the retail sector. In addition, ISO 22000:2018 certification can also be granted to organisations in the service industry.What is FSSC 22000:2020 then?
(Second paragraph)
By being developed through extensive consultation with global contributors, the FSSC 22000:2020 Scheme uses international standards such as ISO 22000:2018, ISO 9001:2015, ISO/TS 22003:2013 and technical specifications for sector-specific Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs), such as ISO/TS 22002-1:2009.FSSC 22000:2020 Scheme consists of the following:
• FSSC 22000:2020 is recognised by GFSI, and uses ISO 22000:2018 and ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 as the requirements for certification;
• ISO 22000:2018 contains the Food Safety Management System requirements and is used along with requirements for Prerequisite Programs for the appropriate industry sector;
• Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 223 contains Prerequisite Programs for all food packaging manufacturers;
• ISO/TS 22002-1 contains the requirements for Prerequisite Programs (PRPs). These programs are implemented to maintain a clean and hygienic environment capable of producing safe products and includes the requirements:
FSSC to change to ISO
These programs are implemented to maintain a clean and hygienic environment capable of producing safe products and includes the requirements for:
- Construction and layout of buildings;
- The layout of premises and workspace;
- Utilities – air, water, energy;
- Waste disposal;
- Equipment suitability, cleaning and maintenance;
- Management of purchased materials;
- Measures for prevention of cross-contamination;
- Cleaning and sanitising;
- Pest control;
- Personnel hygiene and employee facilities;
- Rework;
- Product recall procedures;
- Warehousing;
- Product information and consumer awareness;
- Food defence, biovigilance and bioterrorism.
Differences between ISO 22000:2018 and FSSC 22000:2020
ISO 22000:2018 and FSSC 22000:2020 are both internationally recognised standards. Both relate to the most important components of guaranteeing food safety, but the main difference between the two certifications is that the FSSC 22000:2020 Scheme, in contrast to the ISO 22000:2018 standard, is recognised by the GFSI-Global Food Safety Initiative.
What are the most important differences?
The two schemes are very similar but the FSSC 22000:2020 scheme uses the ISO 22000:2018 standard as a requirement for the management system and it contains additional requirements which include the Pre-Requisite Programs (PRP). General procedures are used to control the operating conditions in food manufacturing factories and the specific requirements of the FSSC to ensure integrity, uniformity, and management of the system itself.
The main difference between the two certifications is that the FSSC 22000:2020 scheme, in contrast to the ISO 22000:2018 standard, is recognised by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). Global Food Safety Initiative recognition validates that the scheme meets the highest standards globally, leading an organisation to international food industry acceptance.
WWISE can assist with the implementation of ISO 22000:2018 or FSSC 22000:2020, whichever one suits your company best. Contact WWISE today on 0861 099 473 or (021) 525 9159 Cape Town, or email us at admin@wwise.co.za, to assist you and your organisation with becoming Certified.