Food Quality Magazine July 2015 | Page 13

Food Quality Magazine ISSUE 03 | JULY 2015 The importance of ISO 22000 Over the years, a number of national, regional and international standards have been created for a variety of situations, including different food products or stages within the industry. Unfortunately, this means that it is not straightforward to compare standards from one country or region to another, or from one part of the food chain to another. The ability to cover an entire industry in a comprehensive and uniform way is part of the reason why the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards are respected worldwide. ISO 22000 is aimed at any organization in the F&B industry, regardless of size, that wishes to implement systems that consistently provide safe food products. The standard demonstrates an organization’s ability to control food safety hazards. The standard uses the Quality Management System approach, tailored to apply to Food Safety, and incorporates the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Principles (GMP). The standard also encourages the harmonization of existing national and private standards into one international certification. ISO 22000 compliance means that an organization has a fully documented Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in place. This includes: • The development of an effective FSMS and subsequent documenting, implementing, maintaining, evaluating and updating of the FSMS; • Prerequisite programs (PRPs) for a clean, sanitary environment to minimize the likelihood of introducing contamination through the workplace; • HACCP to identify, prevent and eliminate food safety hazards; • Processes to manage food safety throughout the organization. Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers with innovative compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and service focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2014, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 94 (BEUR 10.3) and more than 44 000 employees. Learn more at www.atlascopco.com. 13