ISO 22000:2018 is a food safety management system standard designed for use by every organization in the food chain — raw material producers, food processors, packaging manufacturers, transport and storage providers, through to restaurants and retailers. This edition revises the 2005 version by adopting the High Level Structure under Annex SL, making integration with other management system standards significantly easier.
What Sets It Apart From Traditional Food Standards
What distinguishes ISO 22000 from traditional HACCP is the incorporation of organizational management thinking. The standard requires top management to demonstrate clear commitment, maintain effective internal and external communication, and maintain emergency preparedness and response for food safety incidents — dimensions traditional HACCP does not directly cover.
The System's Three-Layer Structure
The system under this standard comprises three interworking elements: interactive communication across the food chain, PDCA-based system management, and HACCP principles combined with Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs) — equivalent to the GMP/GHP principles discussed in our earlier article.
Relevance for Thai Food Exporters
For Thai operators seeking to export food products to markets with strict requirements, ISO 22000 is a widely internationally recognized standard and an essential foundation before considering further, more specialized standards some trading partners may additionally require, such as FSSC 22000 or BRCGS.