During the last few years, food contamination recalls have brought the concept of global food safety to the forefront, leading to the establishment of new global food safety standards. Now more than ever, it is critical that any organization producing, handling, or distributing food products has a systematic, documented approach to identifying and controlling potential hazards.

The new food safety certification scheme FS22000 is approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), and defines in great detail how to implement food safety measures (such as hygiene or pest control) as prerequisite programs. This approach is taken in addition to the systematic management approach of a management system standard such as “ISO 22000—Food safety management systems—Requirements for any organization in the food chain” from the International Organization for Standardization.

Until recently, FS22000 was known as FSSC 22000. The scheme’s Netherlands-based owner, the Foundation for Food Safety Systems Certification (FSSC), a nonprofit organization, is now allowing it to be referred to as FS22000 for ease of pronunciation; however, the official name of the standard has not changed. 

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