FSSC 22000 Audit Preparation: Checklist, Tips & Common Mistakes To Avoid

  Imagine, the auditor walks into your company, papers in hand, ready to assess every aspect of your food safety management system (FSMS). Your team is prepared, your documentation is flawless, and your company is working smoothly. The result? The FSSC 22000 audit was successfully passed on the first attempt. Sounds ideal, right? But you must be thinking about how to achieve FSSC 22000 audit preparation smoothly. Here’s the good news for you: With the right FSSC 22000 audit preparation, an audit doesn’t have to be stressful. Instead, it can be an opportunity to showcase your commitment to food safety and continuous improvement. But what exactly does an FSSC 22000 auditor look for? Let’s take a closer look at the important areas to ensure a successful FSSC 22000 audit preparation. Our FSSC 22000 audit preparation guide will help you to pass the FSSC 22000 audit on the first attempt and you will have our support at every step.  

How to do FSSC 22000 audit preparation?

• Understand FSSC 22000 requirements

Have deep knowledge of the specific requirements of the FSSC standard, including the relevant PRP specifications (ISO/TS standards and BSI PAS) and the additional requirements of FSSC 22000.

• Conduct gap analysis in your company

Identifying the gaps in your company before the final FSSC 22000 audit helps to let you know the weak areas and how to fix them so that you can have a successful FSSC 22000 audit. Our experts will help you to conduct gap analysis in your company and will resolve them.

• Manage your documents

Keep your records and documents, like food safety certification, HACCP plans, and your food business data, properly maintained. This remains an important step to have a successful FSSC 22000 audit preparation.

• Conduct Internal audits

Internal audits help you to find if any non-conformities are still present in the company that can lead to failure of FSSC 22000 audit. Our expert FSSC 22000 consultants will help you in conducting mock audits in your company and will help to solve the non-conformities.

• Preparation of the FSSC 22000 certification

You must review your documents again before the final audit, practice for the interviews, and ensure that your business adheres to food safety practices to have a seamless FSSC 22000 audit preparation

• Train your employees

Aware and understand your employees with food safety management system, prepare them for interviews, and make them up-to-date with food safety protocols.    

What Auditors Will Look After In Your FSSC 22000 Audit Certification?

A Strong Food Safety Management System (FSMS) In Your Company

Powerful food safety compliance guarantees that employees understand and prioritize food safety practices in daily life. A positive environment assures that food safety compliance is maintained over time and not just for FSSC 22000 audit preparation.

What Auditors Will See In Audit

• They look for employee awareness of FSSC 22000 requirements and their roles.
• Commitment from senior management to food safety policies helps to build the reputation of your brand in front of the auditor.
• Auditors will also look for overall attitude towards risk management and food safety compliance.

Solution Tip For You To Pass The Audit

• The company should conduct regular safety training to keep employees informed and updated on the safety policies.
• You must ensure that your company works under the safety protocols.
• Encourage your employees to review issues and participate in continuous improvement.

 

Your Company’s Documents And Records Are Organized Or Not

Documentation is the most important step of an FSSC 22000 audit preparation. Auditors want to see a well-structured and organized record-keeping system that guarantees traceability and regulatory compliance of your company.

What Auditors Will See In Audit

• The auditor will see records that show FSSC 22000 compliance over time.
• Auditors look for a clear document control system that assures that outdated versions are archived properly in your company.

Solution Tip For You To Pass The Audit

• You should maintain food safety procedures, policies, and records in an easy-access system.
• Your company must ensure all documents are signed, reviewed, and dated as required.
• Try to establish a digital-document system to have smooth record-keeping of your company.

 

Compliance With Good Manufacture Practices (GMPs)

Facilities and Hygiene conditions are the major aspects of the FSSC 22000 audit preparation. Your auditor will look after your site to ensure that GMPs are being followed consistently in your company.

What Auditors Will See In Audit

• It is a major step that you must maintain the cleanliness of the facility, equipment, and storage areas.
• Auditors will look for proper employee hygiene and protective clothing compliance in your company.

Solution Tip For You To Pass The Audit

• You should maintain a clean and organized facility with clear sanitation procedures in your company.
• Enforce personal hygiene and protective clothing policies in your company.
• The company should conduct internal audits to identify and resolve GMP violations before the audit happens. 

 

Evidence Of Corrective And Preventive Action Plans In Your Company

Mistakes do happen with everyone, but it matters how you address them. Your auditors want to see how you identify and resolve non-conformities in your organization.

What Auditors Will See In Audit

• Auditors will look at whether the corrective actions are effectively implemented or not.
• Preventive measures should be taken in your company as it shows long-term food safety risk management.

Solution Tip For You To Pass The Audit

• The company must ensure that all corrective and preventive action plans (CPAP) are taken or not. 
• Follow up to verify the effectiveness of food safety improvements in your organization.
• Assign responsibility for corrective actions in your company to ensure accountability.

 

Examine Hazard Analysis And Risk-Based Thinking In Your Company

The FSSC 22000 framework is built on risk-based thinking, so auditors will closely examine your Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan to confirm that you have identified and mitigated potential food safety hazards in the company.

What Auditors Will See In Audit

• The auditor will look after the proper validation and verification of the control measures.
• Auditors will also see whether the company is consistently monitoring and reviewing Critical Control Points (CCPs) or not.
• A detailed hazard analysis on Biological, chemical, and physical risks.

Solution Tip For You To Pass The Audit

• Regularly review and update your HACCP plan to reflect new risks that can happen in the company.
• Train your employees on how to identify and manage food safety risks for a simple audit process.
• Utilize food safety automation tools for real-time monitoring in the company.

 

FSSC 22000 audit preparation checklist for Internal audits! 

• Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
• Powerful communication channels with internal and external parties
• Emergency preparedness procedures
• Document control and record-keeping procedures
• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan
• Risk assessment
• Prerequisite Programs (PRPs)
• Pest control programs
• Personal Hygiene procedures
• Allergen control procedures
• Food fraud prevention plan
• Food defense plan
• Product labeling verification
• Internal audits and management review
• Training of staff

Want a complete FSSC 22000 audit checklist? Click on the given link!   Need a proper guidance to complete this checklist and prepare for FSSC 22000 audit easily? Contact us to get the best FSSC 22000 consultants in India!    

Breakdown cost of FSSC 22000 Audit

It is necessary to keep in mind that FSSC 22000 audit certification is influenced by major factors, and the following are some of the key factors that can impact the overall cost:  

• FSSC consulting and training
• Internal Resources
• FSSC certification body
• Audit Frequency
• Geographic location
• Company size and complexity
• Industry sector
• Preparation and implementation

  Although FSSC 22000 certification costs differ widely based on the factors mentioned, here is a rough estimate of FSSC 22000 audit cost:  

• Small businesses: Between ₹2.5 to 3 lakhs 
• Medium-sized businesses: Between 3 to 5 lakhs 
• Large, multi-site businesses: ₹5 to 8 Lakhs 

  Remember, these estimates include pre-certification costs, audit fees, consultation fees, and annual maintenance fees.  

Cost Component	Estimated Cost (INR)
Application Fees	30,000 per certificate
Audit Fees	1,00,000-5,00,000 depending on company’s size and complexity
Certification Fees	2,00,000-10,00,000 depending upon company’s size, number of employees, locations, and complexity
Annual Renewal Fees	50-70% of initial certification costs
Training Fees	50,000-3,00,000

  Contact us to know the accurate FSSC 22000 audit cost.  

Why You Should Choose Legal4sure To Pass FSSC 22000 Certification In One Go?

• We will provide you with expert guidance and support at each level of the FSSC 22000 audit preparation for your company and after that also.
• Legal4sure will provide complete documentation support, including pre-prepared templates, manuals, and checklists to pass FSSC 22000 audit certification on the first attempt.
• We will help you in gap analysis and internal audits to identify and fix issues for a smooth FSSC 22000 audit preparation.

   

Get connected with us and build your future with FSSC 22000! Contact us now.

Contact No.: +91-9310655040, +91 9971894121 Email: info@legal4sure.in   

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is FSSC 22000 audit preparation important?

Proper FSSC 22000 audit preparation guarantees that your company avoids non-conformities, passes the certification audit successfully, and maintains credibility with clients and regulatory bodies. It also helps improve food safety performance and operational efficiency.

What is the FSSC 22000 audit process for food companies?

• Conduct a gap analysis
• Update food safety documentation
• Train employees and top management
• Implement prerequisite programs (PRPs)
• Develop food fraud and food defense plans
• Perform internal audits and management reviews

How long does FSSC 22000 audit preparation take?

The time for FSSC 22000 audit preparation depends on your current level of compliance. For companies starting from scratch, it may take 3–6 months. For those already certified in ISO 22000, it might take 4–6 weeks to bridge the gaps.

Can a consultant help with FSSC 22000 audit preparation?

Yes! Hiring a certification support partner like Legal4sure can simplify FSSC 22000 audit preparation. Experts can help with gap analysis, documentation, mock audits, and team training — ensuring you’re fully audit-ready.

Who should be involved in the FSSC 22000 audit preparation process?

Every person of the company has his/her role during FSSC 22000 audit, but particularly:

• Food Safety Team Leader
• Quality Assurance Manager
• Top Management
• Department Heads
• All employees (trained in basic food safety practices)

What happens if we fail the FSSC 22000 audit?

If your business fails the audit, you’ll receive a non-conformity report. You’ll be given a time frame (typically 30-90 days) to correct the issues. With proper FSSC 22000 audit preparation, this can usually be avoided.