ISO 22000 in Canada

Why food safety management matters?

For food supply chain companies, protecting the safety of products and processes is critical – unsafe food can have serious health consequences, and recalls due to contamination can be costly and damaging. As more food products cross national borders, a globally recognized food safety management standard becomes increasingly important. ISO 22000 meets this need by giving organizations a framework to identify and control food safety risks.

About ISO 22000

ISO 22000 specifies the requirements for a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and what an organization must do to demonstrate it can control food safety risks. The current edition is ISO 22000:2018. It applies to organizations along the whole food supply chain – from farm to fork – and is designed to support fair competition and clear communication within and between organizations. It provides a framework to build, implement, monitor, and continually improve an FSMS, and requires organizations to meet all applicable statutory and regulatory food safety requirements.

Which organizations should apply for ISO 22000?

ISO 22000 applies to any organization involved in or connected to the food chain, regardless of size or position in the chain. This includes food, ingredient, and additive manufacturers; organizations involved in food delivery or storage; and companies that subcontract to food-related businesses. It can also be used by organizations indirectly involved, such as those that make food-related equipment, packaging materials, or cleaning products.

ISO 22000 and food safety in Canada

In Canada, food safety is governed by the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Most businesses that prepare, import, or export food for interprovincial or international trade must hold a CFIA licence and maintain a written Preventive Control Plan (PCP) built on HACCP principles. Because ISO 22000 incorporates HACCP within a full management-system framework, it gives Canadian food businesses a structured way to build and demonstrate the preventive controls that underpin SFCR compliance, while also meeting an internationally recognized standard. See our ISO 22000 Training in Canada page for auditor training.

The ISO 22000 certification process

• Implement your FSMS: create the policies, objectives, processes, and records that document your food safety system, and document the procedures the standard requires to control your processes. Conduct ISO 22000 training so all employees understand the policies and procedures.
• Conduct internal audits: internal audits expose weaknesses in your FSMS so you can correct them before they become problems. The internal audit report is shared with the external auditors before the third-party audit.
• Undergo external audits: a third-party auditor appointed by a certification body such as IAS conducts and documents the external audit, confirming your FSMS complies with the standard before certification is awarded.
• Maintain certification: certification is typically valid for three years, with surveillance audits during that period to confirm ongoing compliance. It can be renewed for a further three years through a recertification audit. Certification may be suspended if renewal is not completed, or if the organization fails to maintain compliance.

Benefits of ISO 22000

• Better health and safety – reducing food risks protects customers, staff, and others who come into contact with food.
• Improved customer satisfaction – an FSMS helps you consistently offer products that meet consumer expectations.
• Regulatory compliance – implementing an FSMS helps you meet and understand the regulatory requirements that apply to your business.
• Enhanced transparency – improves product traceability and operational transparency.
• Improved risk response – helps you respond quickly to threats to food safety and prevent contamination.
• Reduced investigation time – if contamination occurs, an FSMS helps you investigate and resolve issues faster.

Contact IAS today to learn more about ISO 22000, or visit our frequently asked questions page.

Explore more

• ISO 22000 Certification in Canada – food safety certification
• HACCP Certification in Canada – hazard analysis, central to SFCR