WHAT IS ISO 22000 - FOOD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (FMS) ?

ISO 22000:2005 sets out the requirements for a food safety management system and can be certified to. It maps out what an organization needs to do to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards in order to ensure that food is safe. It can be used by any organization regardless of its size or position in the food chain.

The International Standard ISO 22003 defines food safety management system (FSMS) as the set of interrelated or interacting elements to establish policy and objectives and to achieve those objectives, used to direct and control an organization with regard to food safety. 

The Key elements of any FSMS are: 

 Good Practices/ PRPs   Hazard Analysis /HACCP   Management Element / System   Statutory and regulatory requirements   Communication  

Internationally and even in India, there are many Food Safety Certifications which meets these requirements. These are HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and many more. These are voluntary certifications to strengthen the food safety system.  

However, under current Indian regulation defined by the FSS Act 2006, Food Safety Management System (FSMS) means the adoption Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Hygienic Practices, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point and such other practices as may be specified by regulation, for the food business. 

For the purpose of this document and all assessments conducted thereunder, the definition of FSMS shall be read as the above and the requirements for this are taken as that defined under Schedule IV & Critical Control Points. 

ISO 22000:2005 specifies requirements for a food safety management system where an organization in the food chain needs to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards in order to ensure that food is safe at the time of human consumption.

It is applicable to all organizations, regardless of size, which are involved in any aspect of the food chain and want to implement systems that consistently provide safe products. The means of meeting any requirements of ISO 22000:2005 can be accomplished through the use of internal and/or external resources.

ISO 22000:2005 specifies requirements to enable an organization

-- to plan, implement, operate, maintain and update a food safety management system aimed at providing products that, according to their intended use, are safe for the consumer,

-- to demonstrate compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory food safety requirements,

-- to evaluate and assess customer requirements and demonstrate conformity with those mutually agreed customer requirements that relate to food safety, in order to enhance customer satisfaction,

-- to effectively communicate food safety issues to their suppliers, customers and relevant interested parties in the food chain,

-- to ensure that the organization conforms to its stated food safety policy,

-- to demonstrate such conformity to relevant interested parties, and

-- to seek certification or registration of its food safety management system by an external organization, or make a self-assessment or self-declaration of conformity to ISO 22000:2005.

ISO 22000 is a Food Safety Management System.