Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 is a robust Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized food safety certification scheme based on ISO 22000 that is applicable across the food chain (i.e., food/feed manufacturing, packaging production, transport, and storage). FSSC 22000 comprises three elements:

• ISO 22000 International Standard (2018) – Specifies requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS) in alignment with the ISO Harmonized Structure.
• Sector-Specific Technical Specifications (TS) (2025) – Requires organizations to establish Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) for specific sectors:
  • ISO/TS 22002-1: Food Manufacturing
  • ISO/TS 22002-2: Catering
  • ISO/TS 22002-3: Farming
  • ISO 220002-4: Food Packaging
  • ISO/TS 22002-5: Transport and Storage
  • ISO/TS 220002-6: Feed and Animal Food Production
  • ISO/TS 220002-100: Common/General Requirements 
• FSSC 22000 Scheme Additional Requirements (2024) – Provides comprehensive additional requirements that build on ISO 22000 and sector-specific PRPs.

In early May 2026, Foundation FSSC anticipates publishing Version 7 (V7) of the FSSC 22000 Scheme Additional Requirements. Certified organizations will have a 12-month transition period to allow for effective implementation of the new version once it is published. Until V7 is released, FSSC 22000 V6 remains valid and will continue to reference the existing ISO/TS 22002-X series.

Key Updates

The updates to FSSC 22000 V7 are intended to better align the scheme with global requirements, improve clarity, and make food safety management more practical. Anticipated key changes include the following:

1. Integrate with Updated ISO/TS 22002-x:2025 Series. FSSC 22000 V7 will incorporate the newly updated ISO/TS 22002-x:2025 series to ensure the FSSC scheme aligns with the most current global expectations for PRP implementation across food chain sectors. This includes a focus on taking a science-based approach to sanitation, hygiene, contamination prevention, and risk management.
2. Align with GFSI Benchmarking Requirements. Aligning FSSC 22000 V7 with the latest GFSI benchmarking criteria will help to ensure FSSC certifications remain relevant and accepted across the global supply chain.
3. Support United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FSSC 22000 V7’s strengthened requirements related to SDGs reflect growing industry-wide expectations related to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and social impacts. The scheme’s enhanced guidance is intended to help support organizations in their efforts to contribute to SDGs through responsible sourcing, reduced environmental impacts, and improved social responsibility.
4. Create Clearer Food Chain Categories. FSSC V7 will implement a more defined and transparent structure for categorizing activities within the food chain to help organizations better understand which requirements apply to them, allow for more targeted implementation of food safety controls, and promote better compliance.
5. Promote Continuous Improvement. Planned editorial updates will improve clarity and usability for certified organizations to make the FSMS more practical and easier to implement.

Planning for Change

For companies that are currently certified FSSC 22000 V6, now is the ideal time to assess current FSSC 22000 program elements, identify improvements that are internally desirable and required by the new standard, and implement those updates that will make the FSSC 22000 program more useful to the business and compliant with V7. This can be done through a series of phases to ensure adoption throughout the organization.

Phase 1: FSSC 22000 Assessment

An assessment should begin by reviewing the following:

• Existing FSSC 22000 programs, processes, procedures, forms, and records.
• Existing document management systems and document registers.
• Employee training tools and programs.

This documentation review and program assessment will help to identify elements of the existing FSSC 22000 program that are acceptable, those that show opportunities for improvement, and those that may be missing, including those needed for development and implementation to meet the requirements of FSSC 22000 V7.

Phase 2: FSSC 22000 Program Updates

The assessment will inform a plan for updating the FSSC 22000 certification program, including major activities, key milestones, and expected outcomes. Development/update activities included on the plan may include the following:

• Developing new or updating current FSSC 22000 programs, processes, and procedures with V7 requirements, including new procedures and PRPs to align with the ISO/TS 22002-x:2025 series.
• Updating training programs with any new and additional requirements.
• Revising document register to align with FSSC 22000 V7 numbering changes.
• Updating records and forms with any new and additional requirements.

When implementing program updates, leveraging existing management system and certification program elements and utilizing proven approaches can greatly streamline the process.

Phase 3: Training

To ensure staff are prepared to implement and sustain the updated FSSC 22000 V7 program, training is important. This includes training for affected staff on applicable requirements; specific plans, procedures, and PRPs developed to achieve compliance; and the certification roadmap to prepare for future audits.

Following this plan now will help companies ensure they maintain their FSSC 22000 certification when audits begin under FSSC 22000 V7 to demonstrate their commitment to meeting customer and regulatory requirements, protecting the company brand, and keeping consumers safe.