In the
beginning there was the HACCP. This was followed by GMPs, PRPs and of course
ISO 22000, with all the credibility and prominence of an ISO standard. But it
seems that this was still not enough. And now we have FSSC 22000, with the much
sought-after acknowledgment by GFSI.
The food and beverage market is a highly regulated market. This is because consumers’ health is something very serious. It is therefore natural that formal means exist to ensure that the entire food productive process should be free from risks likely to adversely affect consumers’ health.
ISO, with its authority in regulatory issues
in general, created ISO 22000, a food safety management system applicable by
companies in the food productive chain, from seed producers to delivery
services.
ISO 22000 adopted the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points) methodology as well as Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMP), which are part of the Pre-Requisite Program (PRP) in terms of food
safety. HACCP as well as PRPs are very familiar procedures for any company in
the food business, as they provide practical instructions, albeit comprehensive
with regard to the scope of application.
ISO 22000 is certifiable. However, in the
food market there is another organization with greater credibility. This is
the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). This
credibility and prestige arise from the market itself and from the major
companies that adopt and support these initiatives.
GFSI is not a standard. Yet it assesses
existing standards and provides its seal of acknowledgment. And guess what, ISO
22000 tried but was unable to earn recognition by GFSI. What were the reasons?
Chiefly due to the fact that this standard’s requisites are generic and do not
detail the pre-requisite programs to be implemented.
Opportunism by FSSC 22000
This is where FSSC
22000 steps in FSSC(Food Safety System Certification) is an
independent agency that created a system based on ISO 22000, but is more
specific to the point that it was acknowledged by GFSI.
·
ISO 22000
·
ISO 22002-1:2009 (PRP’s)- – a technical
specification that details which and how the pre-requisite programs should be
implemented
· A number of FSSC 22000 additional requirements established by the FSSC Scheme.
FSSC 22000 is less comprehensive than ISO 22000. It is currently applicable only to food processing companies, to catering, agriculture and manufacturers of food packaging. As new technical specifications are approved, this certification scope will be expanded.
It is important to keep in mind that FSSC
22000 is not the only standard acknowledged by GFSI. There are others such as
IFS, SQF, BRC and GRMS, among others. Hence, FSSC 22000 is only one of the
options for you to gain market respect. But of course, if you are already
certified under ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 is the shortest path to obtain a
GFSI-acknowledged certificate.
