FSSC 22000 food safety

[FSSC V7 is expected to be published in May 2026]

Challenges

The increasing globalisation of the food supply chain has brought with it the challenges of producing products that are safe to consume. Consequently, food safety is now a truly global concern as it is not uncommon for processed food to contain ingredients from multiple countries. Suppliers and producers worldwide, which are committed to delivering safe food products to their customers, are therefore now challenged by a growing scope of possible risks from within the food chain, alongside competitive market pressures to operate cost effectively.

Main Components of FSSC 22000

FSSC 22000 consists of three main components:

a) ISO 22000: FSSC 22000 is based on the international standard ISO 22000, which specifies the requirements for a food safety management system. 

b) ISO/TS 22002-x, PAS 221: FSSC 22000 incorporates the ISO 22002-x, PAS 221 series of technical specifications, which provide specific requirements for prerequisite programs (PRPs) relevant to different sectors of the food industry. These technical specifications address areas such as manufacturing, catering, food packaging manufacturing, transport and storage, manufacturing of feed and animal food, and food retail.

• ISO/TS 22002-1 - Prerequisite programs on food safety - Part 1: Food manufacturing
• ISO/TS 22002-2 - Prerequisite programs on food safety - Part 2: Catering
• ISO/TS 22002-3 - Prerequisite programs on food safety - Part 3: Farming*
• ISO/TS 22002-4 - Prerequisite programs on food safety - Part 4: Food packaging manufacturing
• ISO/TS 22002-5 - Prerequisite programs on food safety - Part 5: Transport and storage
• ISO/TS 22002-6 - Prerequisite programs on food safety - Part 6: Feed and animal food production
• BSI/ PAS 221 - Prerequisite programs on food safety - food retail

For example, if you are in food catering sector, applicable PRP standard to be implemented will be ISO/TS 22002-2.

* Not within the scope of FSSC 22000 V6.

c) FSSC 22000 Additional Requirements: In addition to ISO 22000 and ISO/TS 22002-x and PAS 221, FSSC 22000 requires specific requirements to be implemented, such as follows depending on food chain categories:

• Management of services and purchased materials
• Product labelling and printed materials
• Food defense
• Food fraud
• Allergen management
• Environmental monitoring
• Food safety and quality culture
• Quality control
• Transport, storage and warehousing
• Hazard control and measures for preventing cross contamination
• PRP verification
• Product design and development
• Health status (for animal feed)
• Equipment management
• Food loss and waste

FSSC 22000 demonstrates that a company has a robust and effective food safety management system in place. Purchasers within the supply chain often mandate compliance with the FSSC standard.

As a GFSI certification, the FSSC 22000 allows you to access global markets and expand your business. Whichever market you are in, you will assure your customers, regulators and the wider public that all your food is safe.

TÜV SÜD is globally recognised as a trusted brand throughout the food industry value chain. Our in-depth experience covers food testing, inspection, auditing and certification. This makes us an accredited provider of FSSC 22000 testing services.

We have more than 15 years’ experience in food and feed management system certification. We were one of the first certification bodies in this field. Our international network of food testing laboratories, inspectors and auditors, delivers local support with global expertise. We will assist you to develop and improve your food safety management system. This will keep your supply chain safe, regardless of where your operations are.

We assure you that we will apply a formalised and structured approach to attaining certification without bias. This will ensure that audit approaches are consistent, regardless of the product or country of production.

Our services support the following areas:

• Animal farming
• Food manufacturing
• Feed and pet food production
• Biochemical (the production of food and feed additives)
• Packaging
• Catering
• Distribution (retail, wholesale)
• Transport and storage services (both perishable and ambient stable food and feed)