Key ISO standards in the food industry

Key ISO standards in the food industry

If you're a quality manager at a company in the food and agriculture sector, you know perfectly well that working with the ISO standards in the food industry is not an option, it's a necessity. These standards define the framework on which quality and food safety management is built, and knowing them in depth lets you make better decisions, get ahead of audits and protect both consumers and your company. In this article we review the main standards you need to know, their differences, the requirements they demand and how technology can help you comply with all of them.

Which ISO standards apply to the food industry: ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000

Dentro del universo de las normas y estándares de calidad, tres referencias destacan especialmente en el sector alimentario. Cada una responde a un enfoque diferente, aunque comparten el objetivo común de garantizar que los productos que llegan al consumidor sean seguros y cumplan con los requisitos exigidos.

ISO 9001 is the most widely adopted quality management standard worldwide. Although it isn't specific to the food sector, it establishes the process management, continuous improvement and customer focus principles that apply to any organization, including food companies. Holding this certification demonstrates that the company has a robust, well-documented quality management system.

ISO 22000 goes a step further and focuses specifically on food safety. It integrates the principles of the HACCP system (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) with the requirements of a management system, and applies to every organization in the food chain, from primary producers to distributors. As established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO, n.d.), this standard provides a global, harmonized framework for systematically managing food risks.

FSSC 22000 is a certification scheme recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI, n.d.) that combines ISO 22000 with additional prerequisite program requirements (ISO/TS 22002-x) and the scheme's own requirements. It's one of the most sought-after certifications among large retail chains and international clients, and its global recognition makes it a passport to accessing demanding markets.

Differences between these standards and what each one is for

Understanding the differences between these standards is essential for deciding which one — or ones — best fit your company and your business goals.

ISO 9001 is the most general. It doesn't specifically address food hazards, but it's the foundation many companies build their management system on. It's ideal for organizations that want to streamline their processes, improve customer satisfaction and prepare for more specific certifications.

ISO 22000 is the reference standard when the main goal is food safety. It requires identifying and controlling biological, chemical and physical hazards throughout the entire supply chain. If your company is in the food industry and you want to demonstrate a serious commitment to food safety, this standard is your essential starting point.

FSSC 22000 is designed for companies that need high-level international recognition. Backed by GFSI, it's accepted by most major retailers and global supply chains. It requires greater depth in prerequisite programs and in threat and vulnerability management (food defense and food fraud), making it the most complete and demanding option of the three.

In short: ISO 9001 for general quality management, ISO 22000 for food safety, and FSSC 22000 for access to international markets and compliance with the most demanding standards.

Common requirements and required documentation

Despite their differences, these standards share a number of requirements that every quality manager should know well. Proper document management is, precisely, one of the pillars on which compliance with all of them rests.

Among the most relevant common requirements, we find:

• Quality and food safety policy and objectives: documented, communicated and reviewed periodically.
• Risk management and hazard analysis: especially in ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000, where HACCP analysis is mandatory.
• Prerequisite programs (PRPs): pest control, cleaning and disinfection, facility maintenance, water and air management, among others.
• Traceability: the ability to trace any product throughout the entire food chain, from raw materials to the finished product.
• Supplier management: evaluation, approval and monitoring of suppliers and raw materials.
• Non-conformity control and corrective actions: recording, root cause analysis and follow-up of the measures taken.
• Internal audits: planned, documented and with follow-up on the findings.
• Management review: periodic review of the system's performance by top management.

All this documentation must be organized, up to date and accessible at all times. Scattered records in spreadsheets, emails or physical files are one of the most common problems in companies in the sector and a constant source of risk during an audit.

How to comply with ISO standards with document management and digital records in Solved

Managing food quality standards compliance manually is becoming increasingly difficult. The volume of records, the frequency of reviews and the need to have everything available in real time mean that a specialized tool makes all the difference.

Solved is a quality software designed specifically for the food and agriculture industry that centralizes all the document management and records needed to comply with ISO standards and other sector standards. With Solved you can:

• Digitize all records checks, from temperatures and cleaning to supplier analysis and non-conformities, eliminating paper and the errors that come with it.
• Manage the system's documentation centrally: procedures, instructions, technical data sheets and records always up to date and accessible from any device.
• Control traceability of raw materials and finished products quickly, responding within minutes to any incident or audit requirement.
• Plan and track internal audits, findings, corrective and preventive actions, with automatic alerts so no due date is missed.
• Generate reports and evidence ready to present to any external auditor, whether for ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 or any other recognized standard.

The result is a more agile, more secure management system that is much easier to maintain day to day. Quality managers who work with Solved spend less time on paperwork and more time on what really matters: ensuring food safety and quality.

Si quieres saber más sobre cómo Solved puede ayudarte a cumplir con las normas y estándares de calidad de tu sector, te invitamos a conocer nuestra plataforma y descubrir todo lo que puede hacer por tu equipo.

References

• Global Food Safety Initiative. (n.d.). Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). https://mygfsi.com/
• International Organization for Standardization. (n.d.). ISO 22000 and ISO 9001. https://www.iso.org/