FSSC 22000: Food Safety Standard

Author: Maren Fichtner | October 2, 2026

Definition: What is FSSC 22000?

FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is a GFSI-recognized certification standard for food safety. It is based entirely on the international standard ISO 22000 and supplements it with additional technical specifications for industry-specific preventive programs, as well as further requirements on topics such as food fraud and food defense. These additions grant FSSC 22000 recognition by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which is not granted to ISO 22000 certification alone.

Publisher: Foundation for Food Safety Certification (FSSC)

Current edition: FSSC 22000 Version 6

Who is FSSC 22000 intended for?

The standard is intended for companies throughout the entire food supply chain – from manufacturers and packaging facilities to providers of transportation and warehousing services for food. FSSC 22000 is particularly widespread among internationally active food companies and their suppliers who are seeking a globally uniform, GFSI-recognized certification rather than committing to multiple region-specific standards such as IFS or BRCGS.

Overview of core requirements

ISO 22000 basis: full adoption of the management system requirements, including HACCP principles
Sector-specific PRPs: industry-specific technical specifications for preventive programs
Food fraud prevention: risk assessment and measures against intentional product adulteration
Product protection: protection against intentional contamination
Label management: control over packaging and labeling processes to prevent mix-ups
Allergen control: systematic allergen management throughout the entire process chain

Differences from ISO 22000, IFS, and BRCGS

ISO 22000 forms the structural basis of FSSC 22000, but is not GFSI-recognized on its own. FSSC 22000 fills precisely this gap. Compared to IFS and BRCGS – both of which are also GFSI-recognized – the main difference lies in their origins and scope: FSSC 22000 follows the internationally standardized ISO framework and is preferred by globally active corporations, whereas IFS and BRCGS are independent, European-based trade standards with a point-based assessment system. In terms of content, all three standards overlap significantly, so many companies implement several of them in parallel depending on customer requirements.

Consequences of noncompliance

A suspended or revoked FSSC 22000 certification directly jeopardizes supply relationships with internationally active corporations that have incorporated the standard as a mandatory requirement in their purchasing terms and conditions. Since FSSC 22000 also explicitly addresses food fraud and food defense, gaps in these areas – unlike with purely process-oriented standards – can also lead to reputational risks in the event of intentional tampering.

Frequently asked questions about FSSC 22000

Is FSSC 22000 required by law?

No. However, trading partners and corporations often require certification as a condition for listing in their contracts.

What is the difference between this and ISO 22000?

FSSC 22000 builds upon ISO 22000 and supplements it with additional requirements, which is why it is GFSI-recognized—ISO 22000 alone is not.

What is the difference between this and IFS or BRCGS?

All three are GFSI-recognized and similar in content; FSSC 22000 follows the international ISO framework, while IFS and BRCGS are independent, region-specific industry standards.

Who conducts the certification?

Only independent certification bodies accredited by the FSSC Foundation.

Successfully implementing FSSC 22000

The additional requirements for food fraud prevention and product safety go beyond traditional HACCP documentation to also require evidence of access controls and origin verification. Connected worker platforms such as weasl automatically record HACCP measurements, cleaning and allergen clearances, and batch data as part of daily operations, thereby creating a shared, audit-ready database for FSSC 22000 as well as for ISO 22000, IFS, and BRCGS.

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FSSC 22000