- August 11, 2023
- Posted by: Systems Concern
- Category: Business
How to Get FSMS Certified in Pakistan
Food product safety and quality must be guaranteed in the fiercely competitive business world of today. To comply with international standards and gain a competitive edge, several businesses in Pakistan are working to become certified for their FSMS (Food Safety Management System). The importance of FSMS certification, its advantages, and the role of Systems Concern, as a consultancy organization in Pakistan, in helping firms acquire this certification will all be covered in this article.
Understanding FSMS Certification:
FSMS certification is a validation procedure that attests to a company’s compliance with widely accepted ISO 22000 and other food safety standards. It covers a range of topics, such as identifying and managing food safety risks, maintaining legal compliance, and putting in place efficient food safety management systems.
FSMS Certification Advantages:
Increased Food Safety: The FSMS certification confirms that an organization adheres to best practices and precautions to preserve consumer health by preventing foodborne diseases.
Adherence to International Standards: Earning FSMS certification shows a company’s dedication to upholding international standards for food safety, increasing its standing in both home and foreign markets.
Increased Market Access: Many big retailers and purchasers want FSMS certification of their suppliers, making it a requirement for admission into certain markets. Obtaining certification may lead to more business prospects.
Enhanced Customer Confidence: The FSMS certification gives customers peace of mind by guaranteeing them that the items they buy adhere to strict safety standards.
Guidelines for FSMS Certification Implementation
1. Examine the standards needed to become familiar with the specifications and guiding principles of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), which is based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 22000:2018 standard.
• Recognize the advantages of FSMS certification, such as higher consumer trust, better food safety performance, and adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
2. Create a Management Team Creates a committed management group that will be in charge of putting the FSMS into practice and keeping it up to date.
• Establish roles and duties within the team, making sure that various organizational functions are represented.
3. Perform a Gap Analysis to compare your current food safety procedures to ISO 22000:2018’s standards.
• To bring your present procedures to the standard, identify gaps and potential improvement areas.
Make a note of the results and create a plan of action to close the gaps that have been found.
Establish a thorough FSMS documentation system, which should include a food safety policy, objectives, procedures, work instructions, and records.
• Ensure that all written data is understandable, available, and often checked and updated.
4.Develop FSMS documentationand establish a comprehensive FSMS documentation system, including a food safety policy, objectives, procedures, work instructions, and records.
•Ensure that all documented information is clear, accessible, and regularly reviewed and updated.
5. Implement Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) • Determine and put into place the required PRPs in accordance with your organization’s unique needs and the risks to food safety that come with your goods.
• Some PRPs include allergy management, pest control, staff hygiene, and sanitation.
6. Conduct a comprehensive hazard analysis to find any potential biological, chemical, or physical dangers in your food manufacturing procedures.
• Evaluate the likelihood and seriousness of each threat.
7.Establish Operational Prerequisite Programs (oPRPs) determine and implement oPRPs to control specific operational processes that are essential to ensure food safety.
•Examples of oPRPs include calibration of equipment, maintenance, and control of non-conforming products.
•Monitor and measure the effectiveness of oPRPs regularly.
8. Create a food safety plan (FSP) Create a food safety plan (FSP) based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) concepts.
• Recognize the Critical Control Points (CCPs) in your processes where control is necessary to prevent, get rid of, or bring risks down to a manageable level.
• For each CCP, establish key boundaries, monitoring practices, remedial measures, and verification activities.
9. Put Monitoring and Verification into Practiceand create a mechanism to track and evaluate the effectiveness of your FSMS.
• Perform routine internal audits to make sure compliance with FSMS
10. Get ready for the Certification Audit Select a certified certification body to carry out the FSMS certification audit.
• Create the relevant records and proof to show conformity with ISO 22000:2018.
• To determine preparation for the certification audit, conduct a pre-audit or internal audit.
11. Certification Audit • Go through the certification audit performed by the certifying authority. • The audit will normally be divided into two stages, stage 1 (document review) and stage 2 (on-site verification).
• Take corrective action for any non-conformities found during the audit and provide documentation of your efforts.
Systems Concern is the go-to consulting company for companies seeking FSMS certification in Pakistan. Visit our website at www.systemsconcern.com to find out more about ourofferingsContact us by email at info@systemscocnern.com if you have any questions or would like more information.