What is FSSC 22000 and what has changed with version 6?
Sam Miles 
Date published: Jul 05, 24
FSSC 22000 is a globally recognized food safety management system certification scheme. It provides a robust framework for ensuring the quality and safety of food products for the food manufacturing industry and the related supply chain. FSSC 22000 builds upon standards including ISO 22000, ISO 22003-1 and ISO/TS 22002-1.
Food manufacturers who gain FSSC 22000 certification, a standard endorsed by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), give assurance to customers and other stakeholders of the quality of their food safety processes.
What has changed with FSSC 22000 version 6?
On March 31st, 2023, Foundation FSSC introduced version 6 of FSSC 22000. They announced that the first audits would commence from April 1st, 2024 and that all organizations currently certified to the previous version 5.1 would have until March 31st, 2025 to complete the version 6 upgrade audit. In their announcement of this new version of FSSC 22000, Foundation FSSC stated that the main reasons for the update were:
- Incorporating the requirements of ISO 22003-1:2022 – a standard that governs bodies providing audits and certifications of food safety management systems
- Greater alignment with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG), strengthening the requirements around reducing food waste and loss
- Incorporating feedback collated as part of the version 6 development survey
Some of the key changes that have been introduced with version 6 include:
Food defense and food fraud mitigation (2.5.3 & 2.5.4)
In response to the evolving threat of food fraud, the guidance in these two clauses of FSSC 22000 has been updated and strengthened. Both clauses now require the documentation of food defense and food fraud threat assessments, where previously it was only required to conduct assessments. For organizations within the food chain category FII, (brokering/wholesales/e-commerce organizations) they have an additional requirement to ensure their suppliers have food defense and food fraud mitigation plans in place.
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Read nowFood safety and quality culture (2.5.8)
This section of FSSC 22000 mandates the establishment and maintenance of food safety and quality culture objectives as part of your food safety management system. These objectives should touch on areas including communication, employee feedback and engagement, training and performance monitoring.
Quality control (2.5.9)
In the previous version of FSSC 22000, quality control was a voluntary integration. But with the FSSC 22000 version 6 update, this requirement became mandated. This requirement outlines the need to establish, implement and maintain a quality policy with quality objectives. Additionally, subsection 2.5.9.b of this clause specifies the need for quality control procedures to ensure products meet applicable customer and legal requirements, including a program for calibration and verification of equipment used for quality control.
Food loss and waste (2.5.16)
As part of FSSC 22000 version 6, organizations are now required to have a detailed policy and objectives that outline the strategy to reduce food lost and waste within the organization itself, as well as its related supply chain.
Management of allergens (2.5.6)
The detail around the management of allergens clause within FSSC 22000 has greatly increased, introducing new protocols to prevent allergen cross-contamination and the risk of food recalls. Newly added requirements include needing a list of all allergens handled on site, documented validation and verification of control measures and training in allergen awareness and allergen control measures. The clause also requires the implementation of an allergen management plan that is reviewed annually or following any significant changes that impact food safety or when a product is recalled.
FSSC 22000 version 6 guide
Looking to gain FSSC 22000 certification or need to upgrade to version 6? Download our quick-start guide now.
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How can Ideagen support FSSC 22000 certification?
When you’re looking to gain FSSC 22000 accreditation, a digital safety and quality solution is your key to putting in place the crucial processes to make audits simple. Whether that’s implementing the existing requirements of ISO 22000 or the new changes and additions that have been introduced with FSSC 22000 version 6, having Ideagen’s quality software as your digital solution gives you the tools and functionality to provide complete confidence that you’re ticking every box an external auditor is looking for.
By trusting Ideagen’s quality solutions as the safe hands guarding against the threats of FSSC 22000 non-compliance, your organization can play its part in a safer, higher quality global food supply chain. Below are just some of the mission-critical benefits of Ideagen’s solutions for gaining FSSC 22000 accreditation.
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