International requirements for food safety management systems include the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000. It was created in response to the demand for an extensive and widely accepted food safety management system standard by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification. The standards for a food safety management system are outlined in FSSC 22000 and can be used throughout the full food supply chain, from primary manufacturing to packaging and distribution.
The FSSC 22000 food safety certification program is an internationally recognized food safety certification scheme designed to assist enterprises in demonstrating their commitment to creating safe, high-quality goods. Companies must be audited regularly by authorized third-party auditors to ensure that they fulfil the FSSC criteria. Companies might utilize a detailed audit checklist as part of this procedure to speed up each audit. The most recent version of this checklist is Version 6, which was published in April 2023.
The FSSC standard combines the prerequisites of ISO 22000:2018, which provide the basis for a food safety management system, with additional needs particular to the food business. The purpose of the FSSC 22000 standard is to assist organizations in demonstrating their dedication to food safety, ensuring that legal requirements are met, and enhancing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of their food safety management system. Food producers, merchants, and other businesses involved with the food sector frequently employ the standard, which is acknowledged on a global scale.
An FSSC 22000 audit compares the criteria of the FSSC 22000 standard to the food safety management system of a corporation. This standard outlines the best practices for food safety management systems, as well as the required checks and balances to guarantee the integrity of food supplies across the supply chain. In order to identify any potential risks or hazards that could affect the safety of the food products, an FSSC 22000 audit entails an on-site assessment of the company's food safety practices, policies, and procedures. A qualified and certified auditor conducts the audit, and they will offer a thorough report of their findings and suggestions for improvement if any flaws are found. In the food industry, the FSSC 22000 accreditation is highly recognized as confirmation of a business's dedication to producing safe, premium food products.
But before the audit, the organization need to prepare an audit checklist. A tool used by auditors to confirm that a company's food safety management system complies with the FSSC 22000 standard is an FSSC 22000 audit checklist. A list of queries or issues that the auditor will examine during the audit process is often included on the checklist. The FSSC 22000 audit checklist may contain the following items:
- Documentation: The auditor will examine the organization's documentation, including policies, procedures, and records of training, verification, and validation, to ensure that it complies with the standard.
- HACCP: To make sure that it properly identifies and controls risks linked to food safety, the auditor will examine the company's hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) plan.
- PRPs: The prerequisite programs (PRPs), or steps taken to prevent or reduce the entrance of hazards into the food safety management system, will be examined by the auditor.
- Management Review: The auditor will examine the company's management review process to ensure that top management is active in managing and continuously upgrading the food safety management system.
- Internal Audits: The auditor will examine the company's internal audit program to ensure that it successfully discovers nonconformities and monitors the food safety management system's performance.
The auditor can use an FSSC 22000 audit checklist to verify that all relevant aspects of the food safety management system are reviewed and any weaknesses are recognized and corrected.
