Food production in Africa is second only to the oil and gas industry with South Africa in the lead as the most advanced food and beverage market on the African continent. Research by Frost & Sullivan estimates growth in this sector of between 4% and 7% by 2020.
South Africa’s food industry, however, faces diverse challenges that are holding it back from reaching its full potential. Food safety is one of these issues. The rapid spread of the deadly listeria outbreak reminds us that a similar crisis could easily strike again if there are slips in food safety and hygiene.
Download our FREE GUIDE: ISO FSSC 22000:2018 – How To Get Started, to find out more.
Foreign competitors like McCain Foods have impressive ISO 22000:2018 food safety and quality management systems in place. Each food production site at McCain’s boasts around 3 000 routine quality controls every day, the type of assurance customers and consumers want. The iconic South African brand Nando’s that have made it big internationally, emphasises the importance of staff training. This investment pays dividends. David Beckham eats there, and they’ve received numerous food quality awards. Nando’s also enjoys lower than average employee turnover for the sector.
To compete more effectively, local food organisations will need to consistently offer cheaper, safer and higher-quality products. This necessitates improving processes and avoiding scandals.The ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management Systems standards have been developed specifically to safeguard safety and quality in the value chain. The ISO FSSC 22000 Food Safety Certification Scheme is similar to ISO 22000:2018, but it includes additional requirements that strengthen the management system.
WHAT IS FSSC 22000?
The FSSC 22000 is an ISO-based food safety management system (FSMS) certification scheme that is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Recognition by the GFSI is a signal to other food manufacturers and retailers that your FSMS conforms to the best available and most current quality and safety requirements.
Version 4.1 of the Scheme was released on January 1, 2018, and certification audits are conducted to this version. These new additions bring the FSSC 22000 up-to-date with the requirement of the US’s FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The focus of the FSMA has shifted in emphasis from reacting to food borne illnesses to preventing them, which is precisely the aim of ISO’s Food Safety Management Systems standards. An organisation that plans to become certified, needs to develop a documented FSMS, which is a crucial component of the management system.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FSSC 22000 CERTIFICATION?
Manufacturers that are ISO 22000:2018 certified can obtain full GFSI recognised FSSC 22000 certification by meeting the requirements of the technical specifications (ISO 22003) for sector PRPs and additional FSSC 22000 scheme requirements. Other sector-specific PRPs are available for catering, farming and the packaging industry.
What are PRPs?
PRPs are an important part of the ISO food safety management standards and audit schemes. A PRP addresses situations within the operation that ensure that hazards are controlled. PRPs are usually managed system-wide compared to Critical Control Points (CCPs), which are product or line specific. Well-designed PRPs provide a solid foundation for an effective Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) program.
The ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management Systems Standard defines PRPs, in Section 3.8, as follows:
“basic conditions and activities that are necessary to maintain a hygienic environment throughout the food chain (3.2) suitable for the production, handling and provision of safe end products (3.5) and safe food for human consumption.”
Food processors have three challenges when it comes to developing these programs:
- Developing and implementing effective programs.
- Maintaining those programs once they have been implemented.
- Ensuring that the programs are maintained and will stand up to auditor scrutiny.
We explore developing and managing PRPs, and how to Certify to the World’s finest Food Safety Scheme in our Guide: ISO FSSC 22000:2018: How To Get Started.
FSSC GLOBAL MARKETS PROGRAM
The FSSC 22000 Foundation launched the Global Markets Program in January 2017 to suit the needs of food manufacturers and their customers to achieve a conforming food safety system based on minimum food safety requirements.
The Program is based on the GFSI Global Markets Program, and organisations can achieve GFSI recognised certification in 3 steps: foundation level, intermediate level and GFSI recognised certification. The Program is suitable for small food manufacturing organisations like startups or medium-size organisations, especially in emerging markets like South Africa.
FSSC 22000 - QUALITY CERTIFICATION
A voluntary ISO 9001:2015 module has been added to the FSSC 22000 Scheme, making it possible to integrate quality management into the FSSC 22000 Food Safety Management System and combine certification.
What are the benefits of FSSC certification?
The FSSC 22000 Food Safety Certification Scheme assists organisations to:
- Managing risks by providing robust food safety hazards management system.
- Maintain current customers. Certified companies are asking suppliers to achieve certification.
- Large retailers and manufacturers are also asking for certification of their suppliers. Certification opens up a wider market for your products.
- Certification prepares organisations to meet the requirements of regulators, clients and customers.
WHY WORK WITH RISK ZA?
We work with you to tailor training courses to the specific needs of your Food Safety Management System. Our experts can help you to comply with regulatory requirements and ensure the effective performance of your processes and systems. Contact Risk ZA on +27 (0) 31 569 5900, email info@riskza.com or visit www.riskza.com.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE
Download our FREE Guide: ISO FSSC 22000:2018 – How To Get Started, to find out more.
For more information or guidance on which ISO standard(s) and services would best suit the needs of your organisation, please email Risk ZA at info@riskza.com or contact us on 0861 Risk ZA / +27 (0) 31 569 5900.
