ISO 22000 specifies requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS) to enable an organization in the food chain:
a) to plan, implement, operate, maintain and update an FSMS providing products and services that are safe, by their intended use,
b) to demonstrate compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory food safety requirements,
c) to evaluate and assess mutually agreed customer food safety requirements and to demonstrate conformity with them,
d) to effectively communicate food safety issues to interested parties within the food chain,
e) to ensure that the organization conforms to its stated food safety policy,
f) to demonstrate conformity to relevant interested parties,
g) to seek certification or registration of its FSMS by an external organization, or make a self-assessment or self-declaration of conformity to this document.
All requirements of this document are generic and are intended to apply to all organizations in the food chain, regardless of size and complexity. Organizations that are directly or indirectly involved include feed producers, animal food producers, harvesters of wild plants and animals, farmers, producers of ingredients, food manufacturers, retailers, and organizations providing food services, catering services, cleaning and sanitation services, transportation, storage and distribution services, suppliers of equipment, cleaning and disinfectants, packaging materials and other food contact materials.
ISO 22000 allows any organization, including small or less developed organizations (e.g. a small farm, a small packer-distributor, or a small retail or food service outlet) to implement externally developed elements in their FSMS. More information can be found in ISO 22000 handbook.
ISO 22000:2018 text has been approved in Europe as EN ISO 22000:2018 without any changes.
