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FSSC 22000: complete guide, articles and resources

GFSI-Recognised Food Safety Scheme — expert articles, practical resources, and solutions to structure your certification project.

Version
FSSC 22000:V6 (V7 in May 2026)
Type
GFSI-recognised certifiable scheme
Articles
2 published
Definition

What is the FSSC 22000 standard?

The FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is a food safety certification scheme recognised by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). Managed by the FSSC Foundation (Netherlands), it is widely deployed across global food retail.

The scheme combines three elements: ISO 22000:2018 (food safety management system), ISO/TS 22002 prerequisite programmes (specific to activity: -1 manufacturing, -4 packaging, -5 transport, etc.), and FSSC additional requirements (food defense, food fraud, allergens, environment, mock recall, etc.).

The V7 version is expected in May 2026, with a 12-month transition period. It brings significant changes around sustainability, food fraud, and alignment with the new ISO 22000 version.

Who is FSSC 22000 for?

The scheme targets food chain operators: food manufacturers, animal feed manufacturers, packaging manufacturers, transport, food service, retail, ingredient suppliers (depending on which ISO/TS 22002 modules apply).

Why get certified?

FSSC 22000 is widely required by global retailers (Walmart, Kroger, Costco, Aldi, Tesco, Carrefour, etc.), GFSI-recognised on the same level as BRCGS and IFS, facilitates exports, and strengthens food safety control beyond ISO 22000 alone.

Version
FSSC 22000:V6 (V7 in May 2026)
Certified
30,000+ sites
Validity
3 years
Avg. timeline
9 to 15 months
Articles & guides

All our articles on FSSC 22000

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about FSSC 22000

Difference between FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000?
FSSC 22000 is a GFSI-recognised certification scheme built on ISO 22000, with added specific prerequisite programmes (ISO/TS 22002) and additional FSSC requirements (food defense, food fraud, allergens, environment). ISO 22000 alone is generally not enough for major food retailers.
Difference between FSSC 22000, BRCGS, and IFS?
All three are GFSI-recognised: FSSC 22000 (based on ISO 22000, Dutch origin), BRCGS (British origin), IFS (Franco-German origin). The choice mainly depends on the requirements of your customers (retailers).
When does FSSC 22000 V7 publish?
FSSC 22000 V7 is expected in May 2026, with a 12-month transition period for organisations currently certified under V6.
How much does FSSC 22000 certification cost?
For a food manufacturing site, expect $8,000 to $25,000 for the initial audit depending on size and complexity. Internal costs (PRPs, training, equipment) are often higher.
How long does FSSC 22000 certification take?
Expect 9 to 15 months. Duration depends on starting maturity, the applicable ISO/TS 22002 module, and the need to cover a full production cycle.
Related standards

Connected references

FSSC 22000 is often deployed alongside other standards to build an integrated management system.

ISO 22000
Food Safety Management
BRCGS
Global Standard for Food Safety
IFS Food
International Featured Standards — Food
HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
ISO 22716
Cosmetics GMP
ISO 9001
Quality Management

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