To assist food brand owners and factory owners in understanding why ISO 22000 is no longer adequate for serious and scalable food companies, and why FSSC 22000 is now the expectation worldwide.
Many founders proudly proclaim:
“We are ISO 22000 certified.”
And then a buyer responds:
“That’s good, but do you have FSSC?”
That one sentence has halted more exports, retail partnerships, and brand launches than most people are aware of.
ISO 22000 was a robust food safety standard in the past. However, it is not sufficient for brands that aim to:
- supply modern trade
- export products
- work with serious co-packers
- scale beyond local markets
The industry has progressed, but many brands have not.
Helpful Guide:- Role of FSSC 22000 in Supporting Sustainable Food Production
Why does this happen?
The majority of food establishments consider certification as a tick-the-box process, as opposed to a whole system.
Common reasons ISO alone fails today:
- Retailers call for more effective control systems
- Export markets demand fraud & defence initiatives
- Brands scale faster than safety systems
- Audits now focus on risk, not on documents
ISO 22000 primarily deals with food safety management.
FSSC 22000 is based on that and incorporates practical risk controls.
Factory Pain Points:
- Rejected by modern retailers
- Export inquiries are at the food safety compliance stage
- Buyer audits failing despite ISO certification
- Confusion regarding food fraud & food defence
- Continued non-conformities during audits
- Last-minute panic before surprise audits
This is where factories realise:
ISO provided comfort, but not confidence.
Think of it this way:
– ISO 22000 is essentially a way of saying that you comply with the regulations regarding food safety
– FSSC 22000 ensures that you can prove that your system is actually effective when faced with real risk.
What FSSC 22000 brings:
– ISO 22000 (the core)
– Compulsory PRPs (Factory Hygiene Controls)
– Food Fraud (VACCP)
– Food Defence (TACCP)
– More suppliers and change management
It is intended for commercial, high-risk, large-scale food facilities.
Helpful Guide:- Top Challenges in FSSC 22000 Implementation and How to Overcome Them
What Actually Works?
Those factories that have a stable pass rate at FSSC audits are likely to be doing a few things well:
– Consider food safety certification for food brands as a business system, not just paperwork
– Design layouts and SOPs around risk, not convenience
– Actively manage suppliers, not just approve them
– Perform mock recalls regularly
– Prepare teams, not just documents
Most importantly, they prepare themselves even before the notice of the audit arrives.
Foodsure Role
Foodsure works with brands and factories that are:
– Transitioning from ISO 22000 to FSSC 22000
– Failure in audit tests
– Export or scale planning for retail
Our job is not only to get you certified, but we also help you with:
– Close gaps between documents and operations
– Develop audit-ready SOPs
– Train teams on how to handle real audit questions
– Relieve from last-minute compliance anxiety
The aim is to instil real confidence, not merely a diploma.
Helpful Guide:- Book Your FSSC 22000 Audit Slot: Fast Track Compliance in 30 Days
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- What are the key differences between FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000?
The most significant distinction is that ISO 22000 is a standard for management systems, whereas certification to FSSC 22000 encompasses ISO 22000 along with the mandatory prerequisite programs (PRPs) and other stipulations of the scheme. This makes FSSC 22000 a more comprehensive standard that meets the requirements of buyers around the world.
- Why do food brands consider ISO 22000 Not Enough?
ISO 22000 may not be enough by itself because many large retailers and brands are now asking for GFSI-recognised food safety certification for food brands. FSSC certification for food factories is increasingly demanded by global buyers since ISO 22000 is not GFSI-recognised.
- What are the reasons for global buyers to choose FSSC 22000 instead of ISO 22000?
Consistent and trustworthy food safety is what international consumers expect. FSSC 22000 is GFSI-benchmarked and therefore, is generally recognised as a standard for safety in the food industry.
- Is it a must for every food brand and factory to get FSSC 22000 certification?
The certification is still not globally mandatory, but companies that deal with multinationals, export, or sell in large stores are increasingly required to get FSSC certification. FSSC 22000 is now the preferred choice for manufacturers who want to grow, start exporting or produce private-label goods over ISO 22000.
- What certification process for FSSC 22000 do food brands follow?
The steps are:
– Compliance with ISO 22000 requirements
– Development of sector-specific PRPs (ISO/TS 220 )
– Satisfying additional requirements of FSSC
– Conducting internal audits and management reviews
– Finalising the third-party certification audit
This approach ensures not only better compliance with food safety but also better acceptance by foreign buyers compared to ISO 22000.
Founder Takeaway:
If your brand has plans for expansion, export, or gaining credibility, you should ask yourself:
“Is my factory system strong enough for risk-based audits or just for basic compliance?” If it is the latter, ISO alone will not safeguard your expansion.
If you’re:
– ISO certified but missing out on opportunities
– Under pressure from buyers or exports
– Concerned about surprise audits
This is for you.
