ISO 22000 vs HACCP: Which Food Safety System Does Your Business Need?

The safety of the food product is one of the main obligations of all enterprises engaged in its production, processing, storage, packaging, and distribution. An efficient food safety management system will allow an enterprise to avoid food contamination, ensure consumer safety, compliance with legal requirements and customer trust.

HACCP and ISO 22000 systems can be mentioned as two of the most widespread methods of food safety control. They have many common features but differ from each other in their scope and nature. Knowledge about ISO 22000 vs HACCP certification can benefit your enterprise.

1. What Is HACCP?

HACCP means Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. It refers to a food safety system which involves identification, assessment and control of possible food safety hazards.

The HACCP system concentrates on controlling hazards, such as biological, chemical and physical. Critical control points are identified, maximum permissible levels of the hazard set up, and the points monitored.

In an instance where a food producer identifies a temperature of cooking as a critical control point, the temperature could be controlled to avoid exceeding the maximum permissible level.

HACCP is used in hotels, food producers, catering firms, dairy industries, meat industries and other food-related businesses.

2. What Is ISO 22000?

ISO 22000 is an international standard for the Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The standard outlines the framework that organisations should use to recognise and control food safety risks in the food chain.

As opposed to HACCP, ISO 22000 includes HACCP principles in addition to management system requirements. Besides, the standard addresses not only the control of food safety hazards but also communication, documentation, leadership, continual improvement, and management systems.

ISO 22000 can be implemented in organisations of different sizes and in different stages of the food chain.

3. Difference Between ISO 22000 and HACCP Certification

The key difference between HACCP and ISO 22000 lies in the scope of these two standards.

HACCP is mainly concerned about identification and control of food safety hazards. This is a preventive system consisting of seven HACCP principles.

ISO 22000 offers a more complex food safety management system. HACCP-based hazard control, the organisation’s processes, communication, management responsibility, monitoring, and continuous improvement are all included in ISO 22000.

Simply put, HACCP is a food safety control method, while ISO 22000 is a food safety management system.

4. ISO 22000 Certification vs HACCP Certification

In evaluating between ISO 22000 certification and HACCP certification, there are certain criteria that must be considered depending on the objectives, needs of customers, and growth of the company.

HACCP would be appropriate for a company that wants a specific system of controlling food safety hazards. It will serve as a base to enhance food safety measures.

On the other hand, ISO 22000 is better for companies that want a full food safety management system and can integrate such practices into their overall process.

5. Which Certification Is Better for Your Business?

There is not one clear solution since the best option will be influenced by the nature of your organisation.

HACCP

• When you need a concentrated system for controlling food safety hazards.
• When you are in the process of establishing your food safety procedures.
• When you wish to create critical control points.
• When HACCP is required by your clients or the regulations.
• When you run a small food-related organisation.

ISO 22000

• When you want a complete Food Safety Management System.
• When you have a complicated food supply chain.
• When international certification is relevant for your organisation.
• When you are looking for better integration of food safety and management.
• When you are oriented towards continual improvement of food safety performance.

6. Can a Business Implement Both?

Yes. The application of HACCP is included in ISO 22000. Hence, companies adopting ISO 22000 shall adopt HACCP-based Hazard Analysis and Control as a part of their Food Safety Management System.

If a company already has HACCP implemented, then the adoption of ISO 22000 can be an obvious next step to take while looking for a more comprehensive management system.

7. Why Should You Work With a Certification Consultant?

The implementation of any food safety standard needs proper planning, documentation, participation of employees, risk analysis, monitoring and internal audit. Professional consultancy can help organise this process properly.

An ISO 22000 certification consultant in India will help to assess relevant requirements, identify gaps, create documents, implement required controls, and prepare for an audit.

Likewise, a professional HACCP certification consultant will help with the following tasks: hazard analysis, identification of Critical Control Points, monitoring procedure, corrective actions, and HACCP documentation.

8. How Global Certification for Quality and Sustainability Can Help

Certification Global for Quality and Sustainability offers organisations that are looking to improve quality, sustainability, and food safety. Professional guidance on certification will definitely help organisations to know the relevant requirements and plan in preparation for certification.

Depending on whether you consider getting your organisation HACCP or ISO 22000 certified, the selection of one or the other depends on the operations of your business, the needs of your clients, the regulatory environment, and your plans.

9. Conclusion

The selection between ISO 22000 certification and HACCP cannot solely depend on popularity. The HACCP standard is very solid at addressing hazards in the field of food safety, but ISO 22000 brings a broader and more sophisticated food safety management system.

While for companies that are interested in a food safety system with hazard control, HACCP is the right choice, ISO 22000 is a food safety system of choice for those organisations that need more sophisticated food safety management.

With the help of an ISO 22000 or HACCP certification consultant in India, your business will be able to choose the proper certification system.