ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System
Guidance for Consulting and Training provides qualification, training, and grant services for the international standard for food safety management ISO 22000, which is applied to institutions, factories, and establishments to ensure food safety management requirements on a global scale. The standard reflects the basic elements of the ISO 9001 system and HACCP. The ISO 22000 food safety management system consists of several standards and controls that vary according to the institution’s activity, the type of its production, and the local laws governing its food safety. Working according to it helps demonstrate the institution’s ability to control risks that threaten food safety; to ensure the safety of food materials when consumed. The standard applies to all business entities, regardless of their size, that operate in any area of the food chain and seek to implement systems that provide safe products on an ongoing basis.
Benefits of implementing the ISO 22000 food safety management system
This standard specifies the requirements for a food safety management system for an organization that participates directly or indirectly in the food chain to do the following:
1- Benefits at the internal level
- Reducing risks associated with food.
- Achieving compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Enhancing the reputation of the business entity and the confidence of stakeholders.
- Achieving transparency regarding accountability and established responsibilities.
- Continuously improving and updating systems.
- Applying risk control and monitoring systems at all stages of the supply chain.
2- Competitive benefits
- Enabling food-producing organizations to compete freely in global markets.
- Assuring quality, safety, and accreditation.
- Optimal utilization of resources.
- Increasing the potential for growth and economic development.
ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System Standards for Organizations
The standard requires meeting any applicable legal and regulatory standards related to food safety in the organization’s ISO 22000 system. The standards can be achieved by following the following steps:
- Appoint a management representative for the food safety management system and develop an implementation plan.
- Conducting a study on food safety laws in Saudi Arabia, which apply to the organization and its products.
- Establishing the basic general requirements of the program (such as training – sterilization – maintenance – supplier review – control of non-conforming products, etc.)
- Conducting a risk analysis
- Adopting and implementing training courses for the ISO 22000 standard as awareness for all employees in the facility
- Appointing specialists with appropriate experience to conduct a comprehensive audit on the implementation of the system.
If all system standards are verified for application to the institution after review and audit, the institution is granted the ISO 22000 certificate.
The importance of the food safety system
Ensuring the quality and safety of the food product/service provided is why implementing the ISO 22000 standard is important, as it is necessary to take all precautions when manufacturing and distributing food. Failure to comply with the system standards may damage the institution’s reputation and impose penalties, ranging from financial fines to closing or liquidating the institution.
Advantages and benefits of applying the standard
The food safety management standard offers several advantages to organizations, including:
- Obtaining an ISO 22000 certification distinguishes the organization from its competitors
- Customer satisfaction and ensuring its safety.
- Flexibility, allows it to be applied to all organizations in the food supply chain, thus encouraging cooperation in addressing food safety risks.
- Possible integration of food safety and quality management plans within the organization (such as ISO 9001)
- Provides a framework for management commitment, communication with suppliers and customers, and continuous improvement of the food safety system
- Clarifies the organization’s commitment to food safety and the standards of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority
- Improving the relationship with the community by performing part of social responsibility.
- Attracting more investors.
- Improving the organization’s image and reputation in the Saudi markets
- Fulfilling the necessary licensing requirements for the organization.
- Saving the costs of violations and fines.
- Reducing the risk of accidents resulting from unsafe food products.
- Drive continuous improvement in the supply chain stages.
- Managing the food safety culture in your organization.
ISO 22000 Relationship to HACCP
ISO 22000 certification certifies that your organization complies with the requirements of ISO 22000 for a food safety management system. ISO 22000 is based on the HACCP principles.
As published in 2018, The standard simplifies and clarifies terms and definitions. It uses the same unified framework structure as other ISO management system standards, thus improving their compatibility. ISO 22000:2018 promotes a process approach using the PDCA cycle at two levels: one covering the general framework of the food safety management system, and the other relating to the performance of operational activities.
The ISO 22000 management system covers all the specific requirements in this area. For example:
- Having a general food safety policy developed by the organization’s top management.
- Setting project objectives to achieve this policy.
- Planning, designing, implementing, and documenting the management system.
- Keeping records of the system’s performance.
- Establishing a food safety team of qualified employees within the organization.
- Establishing effective communication with customers, suppliers, and external persons and organizations from outside the organization, as well as establishing procedures for effective internal communication.
- Preparing contingency plans.
- Conducting management review meetings to evaluate the performance of the food safety management system.
- Providing all the resources necessary for the system’s effective operation, including trained and qualified employees, adequate infrastructure, and a suitable work environment to ensure food safety.
- Compliance with (HACCP) principles.
- Establish an effective traceability system to identify food items.
- Establish a system for corrective and preventive actions and ensure control of unsuitable products.
- Establish procedures for recalling food items provided to consumers when necessary.
- Periodic controls of monitoring and measuring devices.
- Establish and implement an internal audit program for business growth.
- To continuously improve and update the food safety management system.
Industries requiring the implementation of ISO 22000
- Ingredient producers.
- Food processors.
- Retailers.
- Food processing companies.
- Farmers and feed producers
- Hunters/gatherers
- HACCP certified companies
- Organizations providing food, catering, cleaning and disinfection services, transportation, storage and distribution services.
- Suppliers of equipment, cleaning and disinfection products, packaging materials, and other food contact materials.
- Catering companies, restaurants, hotels and hospitals.
- Potential future companies looking for ISO 22000:2018 certification.
Guidance for Consulting and Training
We have the knowledge and experience to help institutions and individuals, comply with the requirements of the Saudi Standards and Quality Organization, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and other entities that impose legal and mandatory requirements in the Saudi market.
To qualify your facility, train its personnel, and complete its required documents to implement quality and ISO systems