Food safety is a critical task for the food industry, safeguarding health and protecting firms’ reputations. ISO 22000:2018 sets out the requirements for a food safety management system and defines what an organisation must do in order to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards and ensure that food is safe for consumption.
ISO 22000 can be integrated into existing management processes or can be used on its own. This standard enables companies to establish a food safety management system that helps them to improve their overall performance with food safety. This standard is beneficial to businesses in that it facilitates the ability to consistently provide food-related products and services that are safe and that meet regulatory requirements, enables improved risk management in food safety processes and also demonstrates strong links to the Codex Alimentarius of the United Nations, which develops food safety guidelines for governments.
ISO 22000 elements include interactive communication, system management, prerequisite programs and HACCP principles. This standard does not have specific requirements for prerequisite programs, but it does require that the organisation identifies and implements the appropriate programmes. This means that the company needs to have a documented system in place which is fully implemented throughout the facility. ISO 22000 does not require certification, though many organisations may reap benefits from certification.
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The ISO 22000:2018 standard requires a number of food-safety management system processes, which include:
- Setting objectives that drive your company’s efforts to comply with this policy.
- Having a Food Safety Policy, developed by top management.
- Maintaining records of the performance of the system.
- Planning and designing a management system and documenting this system.
- Establishing a group of qualified individuals to make up a Food Safety Team.
- Establishing a traceability system for the identification of products.
The ISO 22000 standard is a highly beneficial standard that can assist any organisation dealing with food and food management- ensuring that food items remain safe to consume, from farm to fork.
If you would like to learn more about this standard and how your organisation can get certified, contact DQS South Africa today!
