ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System

Guidance Consulting and Training provides qualification, training, and grant services for the international food safety management standard ISO 22000, which is applied to organizations, factories, and establishments to ensure food safety management requirements on a global scale. The standard reflects the basic elements of the ISO 9001 and HACCP systems. The ISO 22000 food safety management system consists of several standards and controls that vary according to the organization’s activity, the type of its production, and the local laws governing its food safety. Working according to it helps demonstrate the organization’s ability to control the risks that threaten food safety; intending to ensure the safety of food materials when consumed. The standard applies to all business entities regardless of their size, which operate in any area of ​​the food chain and seek to implement systems that provide safe products on an ongoing basis.

Benefits of Implementing ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System

This standard specifies the requirements for a food safety management system for an organization that is directly or indirectly involved in the food chain to do the following:

1. Benefits at the internal level

• Reduce food-related risks.
• Achieve compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Enhance the reputation of the business entity and stakeholders’ trust.
• Achieve transparency regarding accountability and established responsibilities.
• Continuously improve and update systems.
• Apply risk control and monitoring systems at all stages of the supply chain.

2. Competitive benefits

• Enabling food-producing enterprises to compete freely in more global markets.
• Assure quality, safety, and accreditation.
• Optimal utilization of resources.
• Increase the potential for growth and economic development.

ISO 22000 Criteria

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.
• Conduct a study on the food safety laws in Saudi Arabia, which apply to the organization and its products.
• Establish basic general requirements for the program (such as training, sterilization, maintenance, supplier review, non-conforming product control, etc.).
• Conduct a risk analysis.
• Adoption and implementation of training courses for the ISO 22000 standard as awareness for all employees in the facility.
• Hiring specialists with appropriate experience to conduct a comprehensive audit of the implementation of the system.

If all system standards are verified for application to the organization after review and audit, the organization is granted the ISO 22000 certification.

Importance of Food Safety System

Applying the ISO 22000 standard is crucial for maintaining the quality and safety of food products/services, as it is essential to implement all required precautions during food production and distribution. Non-compliance to the system standards could harm the institution’s reputation and lead to penalties including financial fines or the shutdown or liquidation of the institution.

Advantages and benefits of applying the standard

The food safety management standard offers several advantages to institutions, including:

• Obtaining an ISO 22000 certification distinguishes the institution 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.
• Clarify the organization’s commitment to food safety according to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority standards.
• Improving the relationship with the community by performing part of social responsibility.
• Attracting more investors.
• Improving the image and reputation of the establishment in the Saudi markets.
• Fulfilling the necessary licensing requirements for the establishment.
• Saving the costs of violations and fines.
• Reducing the risk of accidents resulting from unsafe food products.
• Driving continuous improvement in the supply chain stages.
• Managing the food safety culture in your organization.

The relationship of ISO 22000 to the HACCP system

The ISO 22000 certification certifies that your organization complies with the requirements of ISO 22000 for a food safety management system. The ISO 22000 standard is based on the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis – Critical Control Point).

The standard, according to the latest publication in 2018, simplifies the standard 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 enhances the process approach by using the PDCA cycle at two levels: one covering the general framework of the food safety management system and the other related to the performance of operational activities.

The ISO 22000 management system standard addresses all of the requirements

For example:

1. Having a general food safety policy developed by the top organization management.
2. Setting project objectives to achieve this policy.
3. Planning, designing, implementing, and documenting the management system.
4. Keeping records of the system’s performance.
5. Establishing a food safety team of qualified employees within the organization.
6. Establishing effective communication with customers, suppliers, and external persons and institutions from outside the organization, as well as establishing procedures for effective internal communication.
7. Preparing emergency plans.
8. Conducting management review meetings to evaluate the performance of the food safety management system.
9. To provide all the resources necessary for effective system operation, including trained and qualified employees, adequate infrastructure, and a suitable working environment to ensure food safety.
10. Compliance with the principles of hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP).
11. Establishing an effective tracking system to identify food items.
12. Establishing a system for corrective and preventive actions and ensuring control of unsuitable products.
13. Establishing procedures for withdrawing food items provided to consumers when necessary.
14. Periodic controls of the devices used for monitoring and measurement.
15. Establishing and implementing an internal audit program for business growth.
16. To continuously improve and update the food safety management system.

Industries requiring ISO 22000

• Ingredient manufacturers.
• Food processors.
• Retailers.
• Food processing companies.
• Farmers and feed producers.
• Hunters/pickers.
• HACCP-certified companies.
• Organizations providing catering, food service, cleaning and disinfection, 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.
• Companies looking for ISO 22000:2018 certification.

Guidance Consulting and Training Company has the necessary competencies and experience to help organizations and individuals implement international standards, improve business, and ensure compliance with the legislative and regulatory authority’s requirements. Contact us now to benefit from the expertise of our specialized consultants.