ISO 22000 is an international standard that defines the requirements of a food safety management system covering all organizations in the food chain from "farm to fork". The standard combines generally recognized key elements to ensure food safety along the food chain, including.

•   Interactive communication
•   System management
•   Control of food safety hazards through pre-requisite programmes and HACCP plans
•   Continual improvement and updating of the food safety management system

ISO 22000 is a truly international standard suitable for any business in the entire food chain, including inter-related organizations such as producers of equipment, packaging material, cleaning agents, additives and ingredients.

ISO 22000:2005 is also for companies seeking to integrate their quality management system, for example ISO 9001:2000, and their food safety management system..

Benefits of Food Safety Management Systems

Certifying your food management system against the requirements of ISO 22000:2005 will bring the following benefits to your organization:

•   Applicable to all organizations in the global food supply chain
•   A truly global international standard
•   Provides potential for harmonization of national standards
•   Covers the majority of the requirements of the current retailer food safety standards
•   Complies with the Codex HACCP principles
•   Provides communication of HACCP concepts internationally
•   An auditable standard with clear requirements which provides a framework for third-party certification Suitable for regulators
•   The structure aligns with the management system clauses of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
•   Enables communication about hazards with partners in the supply chain