ISO 22000:2018 certification

ISO 22000 is an internationally recognized certification scheme that specifies the requirements for a comprehensive food safety management system. It incorporates elements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) and covers all processes in the food chain, from farming, food processing and packaging to transportation, storage and retail. 

ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System harmonizes various national food safety standards into one easy-to-understand set of requirements. It provides global recognition of your commitment to safety in food, beverage, ingredient and pet food supply chains and helps you to:

• Control and reduce food safety hazards
• Demonstrate a commitment to food safety
• Sell your products through the food supply chain more easily
• Gain competitive advantage

As part of the ISO family of standards, ISO 22000 audits can easily be integrated into an existing auditing schedule to reduce disruption to your business.

Food safety audits and certification

Food manufacturers and retailers expect their suppliers to be certified to recognized food safety standards. These demonstrate a commitment by management and the company to ensuring the food and food ingredients they produce are safe and compliant.

SGS provides the food industry with audit and certification solutions against a variety of standards that include:

• Codex HACCP Verified Approval Scheme
• ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems
  
• IFS Broker (International Featured Standard)
• BRCGS Food Safety
• FSSAI Factory Assessments
• GMP
  
• FSMA Foreign Supplier Certification
  
• Marine Stewardship Council

• Continually improve results through discovering and refining practices
• Improve processes and efficiencies
• Manage risks and demonstrate proof of due diligence and compliance
• Reduce costs and save time
• Identify greater opportunities for growth and market access
• Comply with regulations
• Gain a competitive advantage
• Enhance your credibility, and the trust and confidence of your customers
• Promote an even playing field for all organizations

As a leading accredited body with decades of experience, we operate with the utmost competence and trust, delivering the highest quality service at global and local levels. Our accreditation means that we can certify your people, processes and products with confidence.

Transparency, independence and integrity are key to delivering our services. We comply with the highest standards to maintain our accreditations, so you can be sure of our competence. We have teams of highly skilled, reliable and ethical assessors and technical experts, whose skills and abilities are continually assessed.

Why choose Food Audit &  Certification Solutions from SGS?

Safety, quality and sustainability are key drivers in the food value chain. Each of these elements impact the sustainability of your business and the marketability of your products. 

Build confidence when selling food products, ingredients and pet food.

Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) Food Safety is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked standard that can be applied to all food products, ingredients and pet foods, including primary products, processed foods, beverages and traded goods.

BRCGS food safety certification

The BRCGS Food standard provides food producers, processers and packers with a framework for improving safety, integrity, legality and quality. It demonstrates compliance with a comprehensive list of requirements that are beneficial to all companies producing private label products for retailers and manufacturers selling products on the global market.

BRCGS certification helps you:

• Improve food safety and product quality
• Gain consumer trust
• Achieve competitive advantage
• Reach new customers

HACCP (Hazard and Critical Control Points) Certification demonstrates to customers your commitment to safety during the manufacture of food, ingredients and beverages. Using its evidence-based approach, you will also gain the data you will need for inspections by regulatory authorities and stakeholders. 

HACCP certification

Demonstrate the integrity of your manufacturing processes and compliance with food safety regulations.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) is an internationally recognized standard that defines the requirements for the effective control of food safety. It should be applied during the manufacture of food, ingredients and beverages, and is a key element of the CODEX General Principles of Food Hygiene.

HACCP is built around seven principles:

• Conduct Hazard Analysis of biological, chemical or physical food hazards
• Determine critical control points
• Establish critical control limits, for example, minimum cooking temperature and time
• Establish a system to monitor control of critical control points
• Establish corrective actions
• Establish procedure for verification to confirm that the HACCP system is working effectively
• Establish documentation and record keeping

Demonstrate compliance with internationally recognized standards for food safety.

International Featured Standard (IFS) Food is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked certification scheme for products that are ‘processed’ or where there is the potential for contamination during primary packing. It is applicable to all food, ingredient and pet food manufacturers, especially for those producing for private brands, and contains provisions required by customer specification compliance.

IFS food certification

With a global network of expert food industry auditors, we offer comprehensive IFS Food standard services to retailers, wholesalers and branded food product manufacturers and producers (food processing and loose food packing companies) around the world.

 IFS Compliance lets you:

• Demonstrate a commitment to food safety
• Reduce cost
• Reduce liability risks
• Improve operational efficiencies
• Improve product quality

Suppliers of food products to US markets must demonstrate due diligence and ensure the safety of imported foods under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).

FSMA FSVP Certification is based on relevant Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety rules, including the preventive controls (PCs) for human food rule (manufacturers of food for human consumption) and PCs for animal food rule (manufacturers of pet food and animal feed).

FSMA FSVP foreign supplier certification

We are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to audit and certify foreign food suppliers as complying with FDA regulations.

In addition to human food products, pet food and feed products, FSMA FSVP certification also applies to foreign operators supplying seafood, juices and fresh produce.

FSMA FSVP certification is renewable annually and, to reduce audit fatigue, we are able to combine your FSMA FSVP certification with other food safety audits to create a single certification audit process.

To strengthen the food safety surveillance system, FSSAI has envisaged audits of Food Business Operators through Private Auditing Agencies. In order to cultivate and foster the growth of compliance culture, FSSAI is enabling compliance through private recognised Auditing Agencies.  

FSSAI third party food safety audits

Food Safety Audits will reduce the regulatory Food Safety Inspections conducted by Central or State Licensing Authorities. Satisfactory Audits will lead to less frequent regulatory inspections by Central or State Licensing Authority except the regulatory sampling. This will strengthen food safety surveillance system and encourage self-compliance while at the same time assuring safe food to the consumers. 

GMP certification demonstrates to customers your commitment to producing and trading safe food while confirming regulatory compliance. It creates a foundation upon which you can develop and implement other quality and food safety management systems, helping you to differentiate your products and services in a competitive marketplace. 

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Modern consumers want confirmation that foods, beverages and pet foods are safe to buy.

The Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification scheme provides independent verification that basic manufacturing practices and prerequisites are being followed in accordance with an effective Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety program. Good Hygienic Practices are also a key element of the CODEX General Principles of Food Hygiene.

GMP certification can be applied to all operators in food, ingredient or pet food supply chains – from production and packaging to retail, logistics and storage.

We offer comprehensive GMP auditing and certification solutions to manufacturers around the world. Utilizing our global network of specialists, we will support you in implementing and verifying GMP compliant processes that demonstrate your commitment to supplying safe foods, beverages and pest foods to global markets. 

1. Understand the standard – we can help you to understand the requirements
2. Get in touch – tell us what standard you are aiming for, and we will provide a detailed proposal and quote
3. Competence – identify any skill and competence gaps that your staff may have. We can provide training and workshops to support
4. Gap assessment – identify any weaknesses
5. Stage 1 – confirmation that implementation of the standard is on track
6. Stage 2 – confirmation that the standard is fully implemented
7. Certification – we will issue your certificate, outlining the scope, after which you can share your achievement with the world. Your stakeholders can check your certification via our client directory
8. Ongoing improvement – regular surveillance visits to help you maintain and enhance your management system

What is the Certification Process?

Food Safety Systems Certification (FSSC) 22000 is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked standard based on the internationally recognized ISO 22000 standard, the industry relevant Pre-Requisite Program (PRP) and FSSC defined additional requirements. It demonstrates compliance with industry and market requirements for safe foodstuff handling and can be applied to organizations of any size or complexity operating in the global food, beverage, ingredient or pet food supply sector. 

FSSC 22000:2018 certification

If you are currently ISO 22000 certified, we can help you to seamlessly transition to FSSC 22000 by implementing the additional requirements set by the FSSC and in the PRP. Transition can take place at any point in your three-year audit cycle and upon the successful completion of a FSCC 22000 audit you will receive a new FSSC 22000 certificate.

Because FSSC 22000 is ISO-based it can also easily be incorporated into an integrated audit scheme, saving you time and money and reducing disruption to your business.

Demonstrate the compliance of your food and ingredients with SGS’s global certification solutions. 

We provide: 

• ISO 22000
• FSSC 22000
• BRCGS
• HACCP
• IFS
• FSMS FSVP Supplier audits
• FSSAI audits
• GMP. 

Get in touch with us

Food safety audits and vegan certification: A comprehensive approach 

Understand the importance of both food safety audits and vegan certification in today's market while prioritizing safety, quality and sustainability.

Verify vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, organic and Global G.A.P. certified claims

Meet consumer demand for transparency in vegan and vegetarian product labeling with audit and certification against V-Label requirements. 

In response to the growing consumer demand for transparency in identifying these products, we offer audit and certification services for the V-Label. This mark is internationally recognized and trusted as a symbol of vegan and vegetarian quality, forming a key part of its licensing process.

The V-Label can be applied to vegan or vegetarian food and wine products that fulfill the scheme's criteria, providing clear, transparent assurance that these products do not contain any hidden non-vegan or non-vegetarian substances. Therefore, acquiring the V-Label certification from SGS can significantly enhance the trust your consumers place in your products.

The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) is a voluntary program, developed in 2005 by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) and is currently the largest and fastest growing gluten-free certification organization in North America, certifying many thousands of products. 

Requirements for certification:
GFCO applies strict standards to assure consumers with celiac disease and gluten intolerance of the safety of their foods:

• All finished products bearing the GFCO logo must contain 10ppm or less of gluten
• All ingredients in GFCO certified products must contain 10ppm or less of gluten
• GFCO certified products may not contain barley-based ingredients
• Finished products and high-risk raw materials and equipment must undergo ongoing testing
• All manufacturing plants producing GFCO certified products must undergo, at minimum, an annual audit and must submit finished products to the GFCO for review on a regular basis
• To receive GFCO certification, companies must comply with all government regulations regarding allergens, gluten-free labeling and Good Manufacturing Practices

Gluten-free certification

Demonstrate sustainability in agricultural practices with tailored farm assurance certification to GLOBAL G.A.P.

Benefits of GLOBAL G.A.P.

This internationally recognized certification scheme allows farms and farm groups of all size and in all regions to demonstrate compliance with good agricultural practices. Utilizing a modular-based approach, it provides tailored certification that promotes greater efficiencies, reduces audit numbers and enables wider market access.

GLOBAL G.A.P. covers a comprehensive range of agricultural products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, propagation material, livestock, dairy, pigs, poultry, combinable crops, flowers and ornamentals, tea, coffee and aquaculture.

Achieving GLOBAL G.A.P. certification delivers multiple advantages, including:

• Enhanced food safety management systems for your farm
• Demonstrates your commitment to producing and trading safe food
• Acceptance into the GLOBAL G.A.P. community
• Increased consumer and customer confidence in your product’s safety and quality

Enhanced assurance

GLOBAL G.A.P also offers a wide variety of additional bolt-on services that provide assurance on topics that are increasingly important in agricultural markets, such as social issues, US Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), retailer add-on modules, animal welfare and sustainability. These help you ensure you have the assurance required to enhance your farming business and address the specific needs of customers.

Global G.A.P. certification

Any agricultural product certified as organic under NPOP has to be certified by an accredited certification body under NPOP for exports. As per the inspection and certification procedures as prescribed under chapter 4 clause 4.3 of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) Document, the Certification Bodies accredited under NPOP conduct inspection before certifying the operators as organic. After inspection and compliance to the requirement by the certified operators, certification decision is taken by the Certification Body and Scope Certificate is issued having a validity of one year. 

Organic products are traded only through issuance of Transaction Certificates (TCs) wherein the product identity and traceability is maintained. The TCs are also issued only by the accredited Certification Bodies. All the handlers of the product in the supply chain are required to be in the certification system under NPOP and need to obtain TC whenever the product is traded.

Organic certification (National Programme for Organic Production)

In today's global environment, the demand for sustainable and traceable seafood is on the rise. For companies in the seafood industry, achieving Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Chain of Custody (CoC) certification is not just a choice; it's a strategic imperative to ensure the traceability of their MSC/ASC certified seafood products.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Benefits of MSC/ASC CoC certification 

• Assurance: The certification guarantees that your MSC/ASC labeled product originates from a certified responsible source, ensuring responsible sourcing and mitigating the risks of mislabeling and species substitution.
• Recognition: The MSC/ASC label serves as a powerful differentiator in the market, providing tangible evidence to customers and consumers that your operations are conducted responsibly, and may open doors to new markets or premium pricing.
• Operational excellence: MSC/ASC CoC Certification signifies a commitment to operational excellence, ensuring that your company operates with the highest standards in traceability, quality, and ethical practices, establishing your company as a leader in responsible seafood supply chain management.

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification signifies a commitment to safe and responsibly sourced seafood, reflecting environmental and social responsibility in the aquaculture industry. 

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)

The four pillars of BAP certification 

1. Environmental responsibility: Covers sediment and water quality, fishmeal and fish oil conservation, control of escapes and use of GMOs, and predator and wildlife interactions.
2. Social accountability: Includes property rights and regulatory compliance, community relations, worker safety, and employee relations.
3. Animal health and welfare: Focuses on health and welfare, biosecurity, and disease management.
4. Food safety: Addresses control of residues and contaminants, harvest and transport, and HACCP.

The foundation of these pillars lies in a robust traceability system incorporating product identity preservation, mass balance, and labeling controls.

Why choose BAP certification audits from SGS? 

• Comprehensive evaluation: Gain a thorough assessment of your practices against BAP standards.
• Environmental stewardship: Showcase commitment through sediment and water quality management.
• Conservation and GMO control: Emphasize your dedication to conservation and GMO control.
• Social accountability: Enhance community relations and social accountability.
• Animal health and welfare: Strengthen protocols for animal health and welfare.

Contact

SGS India Private Limited, 4B, Adi Shankaracharya Marg, Vikhroli (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400083, India