PRIORITY business intelligence

ISO 22000:2005- International Standard for Food Safety Management Systems -- Requirements for any organization in the food chain

Food reaches consumers via supply chains that may link many different types of organizations and may stretch across multiple borders. One weak link may result in unsafe food that is dangerous to health and if this happens, the hazards to consumers may be serious.

ISO 22000 is an international standard designed to allow all types of organizations within the food chain to implement a Food Safety Management System. These include feed producers, primary producers, food manufacturers, transport and storage operators and sub contractors, retail service outlets, producers of equipments, packaging materials, cleaning agents, additives and ingredients.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed ISO 22000 as a way to systematically ensure safety and control in all links of the food chain. Organizations implementing ISO 22000, which includes the principles of the Codex HACCP system, can cover the key requirements of the various global standards by using a single document. And since ISO 22000 is designed to be fully compatible with ISO 9001, a food supply company with an established quality management system will find it easy to extend their system to include this new standard

ISO 22000:2005 Benefits

• Clear communication across the entire supply chain
• Traceability - identification of an organisation's impact on food safety within the supply chain
• Control/reduction of food safety hazards
• Management of food safety risks
• Legal compliance
• Cost reduction due to a more efficient system
• Smooth conversion from existing food safety certifications
• Continuous improved business performance in line with the ISO 22000 food safety policy and objectives.