Kestrel Management recently teamed with FSSC 22000, a global GFSI-recognized food safety certification owner, to host an Information Day in Schaumburg, Illinois, on November 13, 2018.

Cor Groenveld, Market Development Manager, and Jacqueline Southee, North American Representative, both with FSSC 22000, presented on the implications and benefits of the recent updates to FSSC 22000, how the revised ISO 22000 international standard will impact FSSC 22000, the future of food safety management, how the new FSSC certification can benefit food safety programs, the Global Markets Program, and FSMA alignment.

“This Kestrel-hosted event exceeded all expectations,” said Kestrel Principal Bill Bremer. “It was the first time a global scheme under GFSI presented in an independent focus session such as this. It was a unique opportunity for approximately 35 attendees from food industry companies, certification bodies, and other food safety professional services firms to hear directly from one of the key schemes under GFSI.”

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The FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification provides a framework for effectively managing food safety and quality responsibilities. FSSC 22000 demonstrates a company has a robust and effective food safety management system (FSMS) in place to meet the requirements of regulators, food business clients and consumers.

The FSSC 22000 Scheme is managed by the independent Foundation FSSC 22000. FSSC 22000 is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and developed in response to the needs of the international food sector. FSSC 22000 is fully based on the international, independent standards: ISO 22000, ISO 22003 with sector specific technical specifications for Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) and additional Scheme requirements.

The first version of the FSSC 22000 Scheme was published in 2009. Since then almost 18,000 sites (reference date: January 2018) have been certified and new scopes have been added. Mid 2017 Version 4.1 of the Scheme has been published.