We continue to explore the question, “Where should we start when developing and implementing a HACCP system?”
In Lesson 1, we discussed what training courses you need to take and which standard’s requirements you should study and implement.
It all depends on which requirements of which standard your FSMS must meet. So, which standard should you choose for implementing your FSMS?
In addition to ISO 22000, the world’s most popular standard, there are a number of specialized food safety management system standards for specific industries. Generally, these standards fully or partially incorporate HACCP requirements and include additional requirements formulated by representatives of customers in specific industries. As a rule, customers require or recommend that their suppliers obtain certification under these specialized standards.
In other words, you first need to find out whether your customers have any food safety management system requirements. As the saying goes, he who pays the piper calls the tune.
However, an organization may decide to implement the requirements of a specialized standard even in the absence of such external requirements. For example, to improve its image in an industry-specific or related market.
An organization deciding to implement a food safety management system can choose one or more food safety management system models from a wide range of international and national standards. These include specialized standards for specific industries in the field of food safety management, depending on the organization’s specific goals and objectives.
As a rule, the basic HACCP system (Codex Alimentarius, “Food Hygiene: Basic Texts”) is suitable for implementation at small businesses with a limited number of employees.
ISO 22000, IFS, BRCGS, the FSSC 22000 certification scheme, and other standards are implemented by large organizations that frequently participate in tenders, supply retail chains, or plan to enter the international market.
Ukrainian food safety legislation establishes the requirement that “market operators must develop and implement an effective HACCP system that allows for the control of all hazards that may be present in food products.” A regulatory act has also been developed to guide the development of a HACCP system. This is Order No. 590 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine dated October 1, 2012, “On the Approval of Requirements for the Development, Implementation, and Application of Permanent Procedures Based on the Principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) System.”
Therefore, start by reviewing the requirements of the Codex Alimentarius and Order No. 590 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine.
Also, consider what a food safety management system means to you: a trendy label, a market requirement, or a tool for growth? The answer to this question will determine what you gain from implementing a food safety management system. However, as experts assure us, even a formal implementation of a food safety management system has a positive impact on an organization’s management.
Let's get back to our question: Which standard or certification scheme should we choose to implement?
Let's take a look at what each of the standards and certification schemes that establish requirements for food safety management systems entails.
Codex Alimentarius: “Food Hygiene: Basic Texts.”
One of the first to describe the HACCP system. Essentially, this standard covers only the HACCP principles, hygiene standards, and rules that apply at all stages, from the production of food raw materials to final consumption.
EU Regulations No. 852 “On the Hygiene of Foodstuffs” and No. 853 “Laying Down Specific Hygiene Rules for Food of Animal Origin,” on the basis of which Order No. 590 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine dated October 1, 2012, was issued “On the Approval of Requirements for the Development, Implementation, and Application of Permanent Procedures Based on the Principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) System,” mirror the requirements of the Codex Alimentarius. There are also standards for specific types of products.
For more information on the Codex Alimentarius standards, follow this link: http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/ru/
ISO 22000:2018 is an international standard for food safety management systems that sets requirements for all organizations in the food chain. The standard establishes requirements for food safety management systems. In addition to the HACCP principles themselves (as specified in the Law of Ukraine “On the Basic Principles and Requirements for Food Safety and Quality” and Order No. 590 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine “On the Approval of Requirements for the Development, Implementation, and Application of Permanent Procedures based on the principles of the Food Safety Management System (HACCP”)), it additionally includes: interactive communication (external and internal communication), system management, and prerequisite programs. And, of course, the key word here is “management.”
For more information on the ISO 22000:2018 standard, follow this link: https://www.iso.org/ru/news/ref2301.html.
The FSSC 22000 certification scheme. Its purpose is to certify food safety management systems at organizations that are part of the food supply chain. It incorporates the requirements of the international ISO 22000 standard and the ISO/TS 22002 series (separate technical industry-specific specifications for prerequisite programs by food chain categories—food production and processing, biochemical products; animal husbandry; production of food packaging and animal feed; catering services, logistics, and wholesale and retail trade), as well as additional specific requirements of the scheme. Companies that already hold ISO 22000 certification can supplement their FSMS with these additional requirements and obtain this certification.
For more information on the FSSC 22000 certification scheme, follow this link: https://www.fssc22000.com/
IFS stands for International Food Safety Standards. The specific standards in this series were created to ensure the production and distribution of high-quality and safe food products. IFS comprises eight different food and non-food standards covering supply chain processes. IFS standards use a unified system for evaluating food supply chain suppliers, which provides for standardized audit requirements and mutual recognition of audit results. The checklists used by most retail chains are based on IFS requirements. Therefore, companies planning to actively sell through retail chains are advised to implement this particular standard.
For more information on IFS standards, follow this link: https://www.ifs-certification.com/index.php/en/.
BRC Global Standards is a series of international standards for the food industry, packaging manufacturers, and consumer goods manufacturers. These requirements apply to retail chains, food manufacturers, foodservice establishments, importers, and suppliers in the area of food safety, including packaging and compliance with legal requirements.
BRC standards are designed to ensure that the entire product supply chain (production, packaging, storage, and distribution of products to the end consumer) functions properly and that its safety is monitored. BRCGS is based on a combination of risk management (for food products and food packaging—based on a hazard analysis in accordance with HACCP principles) and the requirements of a quality management system and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
For more information about BRC Global Standards, click here: https://www.brcgs.com/.
The SQF (Safe Quality Food) Program is a food safety and quality certification system. The program was developed with the needs of customers and suppliers in mind to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in local and global markets at all stages of the food supply chain.
The SQF Program is a certification system that covers primary production, secondary processing, and related industries, such as packaging and animal feed.
SQF is harmonized with HACCP, the Codex Alimentarius, ISO 9001 (quality management system standard), and the NACMCF (National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods). Certification and audit procedures, including auditor qualifications, have been established and are monitored by accreditation bodies.
For more information about the SQF program, visit https://www.sqfi.com/what-is-the-sqf-program/.
Primus GFS Standard is a widely recognized audit scheme that includes verification of compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and the Food Safety Management System (FSMS). Primus GFS is owned and operated by Azzule Systems.
PrimusGFS certification is divided into 3 modules:
– Module 1. Food Safety Management System (applies to all industries)
– Module 2. With two different submodules: Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices (the application of this module depends on the scope of the audit)
– Module 3. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (for processing only)
For more information about Primus GFS, click the link: http://primusgfs.com/index.php.
The Global Red Meat Standard (GRMS) is an international standard for red meat and meat products, developed specifically for the slaughter, cutting, trimming, and sale of red meat and meat products. The GRMS was created by the Danish Agriculture & Food Council in partnership with the Danish Meat Research Institute.
The purpose of the GRMS standard is to ensure the safety of red meat at all stages of the food chain. GRMS has been adapted to the specific requirements of the meat industry, which distinguishes this standard from many other HACCP certification schemes. The international standard for red meat is based on HACCP principles.
For more information about GRMS, follow this link: https://grms.org/grms-standard.
The GLOBALG.A.P. standard is an international standard for agricultural producers based on the principles of sustainable development. GLOBALG.A.P. is owned by FoodPLUS GmbH. The standard promotes the adoption of best practices in agriculture and gives consumers confidence that a farm produces food while minimizing environmental impact, reducing the use of chemicals, and demonstrating a responsible approach to worker health and safety and animal welfare. The GLOBALG.A.P. standard is based on GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements and HACCP principles.
For more information about GLOBALG.A.P., click the link: https://www.globalgap.org/uk_en/.
The Global Aquaculture Alliance (BAP) Best Aquaculture Practices standard is an international standard developed by the Global Aquaculture Alliance, an international nonprofit organization that ensures the global market is supplied with safe products. The goal of the Global Aquaculture Alliance BAP standard is to promote environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture and the safe supply of seafood. The BAP standards are designed for seafood processing facilities, farms, fish farms, and feed mills. The standards cover all types of facilities, ranging from hatcheries and feed production to processing plants.
For more information about the Global Aquaculture Alliance (BAP), click here: https://www.aquaculturealliance.org/.
FAMI-QS is an international quality and safety standard for specialized feed ingredients. The goal of FAMI-QS is to ensure feed safety by minimizing hazardous practices and the risk of hazardous ingredients entering the food chain. The FAMI-QS standard addresses the safety and quality of animal feed ingredients based on European feed regulations. The standard covers aspects of feed ingredient quality and safety, traceability, regulatory compliance of products, and a number of other issues.
For more information about FAMI-QS, follow this link: https://www.fami-qs.org/home.html.
The GMP+ scheme is an international certification scheme that covers all stages of the feed production chain. This certification scheme is used by companies involved in the production and processing of feed, as well as in its trade, storage, shipment, and transportation. The main objective of the GMP+ scheme is to ensure the safety of feed and feed materials at all stages of the food chain and to guarantee accountability for their production.
The GMP+ certification scheme consists of two modules:
– GMP + FSA (Feed Safety Assurance) “Ensuring Feed Safety”
– GMP+ FRA (Feed Responsibility Assurance) “Ensuring Responsible Feed Production.”
For more information on the GMP+ certification program, follow this link: https://www.gmpplus.org/en.
The FSSC 22000, IFS, BRC, GLOBAL GAP, Global Aquaculture Alliance, Global Red Meat Standard, SQF, Primus GFS Standard, and other certification schemes are included in the list of schemes and standards recognized by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative).
For more information about GFSI, follow this link: https://mygfsi.com/.
In fact, there are many more food safety standards and certification schemes in the world. Here, I have listed the most fundamental ones that are being implemented here in Ukraine or that are in demand among international customers.
Conclusion: All standards and certification schemes incorporate HACCP principles, so whichever one you choose, you will be meeting the legal requirements for food safety. All that remains is to meet your customers' requirements.
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