What is the ideal way to move forward to ISO-FSSC 22000

Greetings everyone, 

We manufacture raw Vitamin C powder products that can be made into water soluble or tablet style vitamin C products. Got NSF certified April 2022 and we would like to eventually obtain FSSC 22000. 

I would like to find out the ideal and correct way to reach that goal. Should we first focus on ISO 9001 and then move on to ISO 22000 and then FSSC 22000, or just jump into FSSC 22000 since we already have the NSF certification.

I have just recently started getting familiar with ISO 9001 and there are some documents that we currently have which overlap one another on ISO side. If ISO 9001 is something easy to obtain from our stand point I would like to get it (easy pickings) but it is too early for me to scale the ISO program on its entirety  and I don't want to make any assumptions that may cause harm at the end.

What are your opinions on this?

Thank you.

Hi johnct,

Since the FSSC 22000 Certification Scheme is GFSI benchmarked food safety management system certification scheme I would progress to that. Achieving ISO 22000 certification is a stepping stone but seems a bit of a waste of time if your goal is to achieve FSSC 22000 Certification.

I would subsequently add the ISO 9001 (quality) element after achieving FSSC 22000 Certification.

The only reason I would prioritise any differently is if my customers were happy with the NSF certification and wanted you to be ISO 9001 certified.

Kind regards,

Tony

Hi johnct,

 

Since the FSSC 22000 Certification Scheme is GFSI benchmarked food safety management system certification scheme I would progress to that. Achieving ISO 22000 certification is a stepping stone but seems a bit of a waste of time if your goal is to achieve FSSC 22000 Certification.

 

I would subsequently add the ISO 9001 (quality) element after achieving FSSC 22000 Certification.

 

The only reason I would prioritise any differently is if my customers were happy with the NSF certification and wanted you to be ISO 9001 certified.

 

Kind regards,

Tony

Hi Tony, 

Thank you very much for the info. Our top management has been interested in getting ISO 9001 as well as FSSC 22000 and I am trying to find the best possible way to use my time and energy in a most efficient way. So if I need to prioritize you would recommend to get FSSC 22000 first and then ISO 9001? would that be the best way or the easiest way?

Thank you again.

John.

Hi Tony, 

 

Thank you very much for the info. Our top management has been interested in getting ISO 9001 as well as FSSC 22000 and I am trying to find the best possible way to use my time and energy in a most efficient way. So if I need to prioritize you would recommend to get FSSC 22000 first and then ISO 9001? would that be the best way or the easiest way?

 

Thank you again.

John.

Hi John,

Yes that is the way I would go FSSC 22000 certification first, then ISO 9001. Bear ISO 9001 in mind when developing your food safety management system.

Kind regards,

Tony

As a food company, the first practical step is HACCP certification based on Codex Alimentarius, 2020.
HACCP is the most basic system the customers will look for in a food company.

From there, one can go to FSSC 22000 v.5.1... which may take a longer time to develop due to its comprehensive requirements, at least you have HACCP for customer audits and possibly regulatory compliance. Hope this helps.