Last Updated on December 12, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Why Updated PRPs Are Essential for ISO 22000:2018 Compliance

Here’s something I see often when companies transition to ISO 22000:2018: they focus heavily on hazard analysis, CCPs, and decision trees, but they overlook the foundation—solid, up-to-date prerequisite programs. The truth is, PRPs carry most of the day-to-day control weight in any food-safety system, so if they’re outdated, everything else gets shaky.

My work with food manufacturers and processors over the years has taught me this pattern well. Teams rely on old PRPs that no longer reflect new layouts, new equipment, or updated regulatory expectations. And when ISO 22000:2018 came along, the gap became even clearer.

This article breaks down how to update your PRPs in a structured, practical way so they align smoothly with ISO 22000:2018. The goal is to help you strengthen the hygiene foundation of your FSMS without unnecessary rework.

Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s walk through exactly what needs updating.

Understanding What ISO 22000:2018 Changes Mean for PRPs

ISO 22000:2018 sharpened the link between PRPs and the overall hazard-control logic. The standard expects clearer boundaries between PRPs, OPRPs, and CCPs, and this starts with updating how PRPs are defined, monitored, and verified.

PRPs now need stronger alignment with the organization’s context, risk approach, and operational realities. In simple terms: your PRPs must match how your facility actually works today—not how it worked five years ago.

I once worked with a team that kept treating an allergen segregation step as a CCP simply because their old PRPs weren’t developed well enough. Once we updated their allergen control PRP with stronger procedures and monitoring, that CCP was no longer necessary. Their entire hazard plan became clearer and simpler.

Common mistakes you want to avoid:

• Copying old PRPs forward without checking if they still reflect current risks.
• Overloading PRPs with unnecessary instructions just to “look compliant.”
• Ignoring how PRPs connect to OPRP and CCP decisions.

Now that we’ve clarified the impact of the 2018 revision, let’s move into what the actual update process looks like.

Identifying Gaps – Reviewing Existing PRPs Against ISO 22002 Series Requirements

Before updating anything, you need a clear picture of where you stand. This is where aligning PRPs with the appropriate ISO/TS 22002 series becomes essential—whether your organization falls under manufacturing, catering, packaging, or storage and distribution.

As you review each PRP, compare your current controls with sector-specific requirements such as:

• Facility layout and infrastructure
• Cleaning and sanitation expectations
• Allergen-control elements
• Equipment maintenance schedules
• Pest-control systems
• Supplier and raw-material practices
• Personnel hygiene requirements

During these reviews, gaps almost always appear in places where operations have evolved but procedures haven’t.

Pro Tip: Bring production and maintenance into these reviews. They catch gaps QA often misses.

Updating PRP Procedures – Turning Gaps Into Actionable Improvements

Once gaps are clear, the next step is revising your PRP procedures. This doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, many PRP updates are small clarifications that make a big difference in practice.

Here’s a simple approach:

• Update responsibilities to reflect actual job roles.
• Add or refine monitoring steps where risks have increased.
• Standardize forms and checklists for better consistency.
• Remove redundant controls that no longer add value.
• Add visuals or flowcharts where clarity is needed.

A common misunderstanding is assuming every PRP must become a long document. In reality, shorter, clearer procedures work better in everyday operations.

Pitfall to avoid: Updating PRPs without adjusting work instructions, records, or supporting forms. Misalignment is one of the top audit findings in PRP-related areas.

Strengthening PRP Monitoring & Verification for ISO 22000:2018

ISO 22000:2018 emphasizes evidence-based control. It’s not enough to say a PRP exists—you need to show consistent monitoring and meaningful verification.

This typically includes reviewing:

• Monitoring frequencies
• Verification activities (internal audits, swab tests, inspections)
• Calibration of tools used in monitoring
• Trends over time, especially for hygiene and sanitation
• Corrective actions when deviations happen

A strong monitoring process gives teams early warning signs long before issues become hazards.

Pro Tip: Treat PRP verification like preventive maintenance. The goal is to catch weaknesses early, not after a nonconformity shows up during an audit.

Integrating PRPs Into the Hazard-Control Logic (PRP vs OPRP vs CCP)

ISO 22000:2018 refined how control measures are classified. This makes updated PRPs even more important because they form the baseline that prevents everyday hazards from escalating.

When PRPs are strong, they relieve pressure on CCPs and OPRPs because many hazards are controlled earlier in the process.

As you revise PRPs, evaluate how each one influences your hazard-control decisions:

• Does this PRP remove or reduce a hazard?
• Does it prevent the need for an OPRP or CCP?
• Does the updated decision tree change its classification?

Common misstep: Treating allergen control, foreign-body control, or sanitation as CCPs simply because PRPs were outdated or unclear.

With updated PRPs, the hazard-control plan becomes cleaner and easier to justify to auditors.

Enhancing PRP Communication, Training & Competency

Updated PRPs don’t help much if the people executing them aren’t trained properly. ISO 22000:2018 expects clear communication, defined competencies, and role-specific training.

Your PRP updates should trigger:

• Refresher training for operators
• Updated onboarding materials
• Toolbox talks or shift briefings
• Competency validation where skills matter (e.g., sanitation, allergen checks)
• Easy-to-read visual SOPs posted in the right work areas

Pro Tip: Keep training short, specific, and hands-on. Operators respond better when procedures match what they actually do on the floor.

Document Control – Ensuring PRPs Meet ISO 22000:2018 “Documented Information” Requirements

ISO 22000:2018 replaced “documents and records” with “documented information,” but the intent is the same—clear control, versioning, and accessibility.

When updating PRPs, make sure you:

• Update version numbers and approval signatures
• Align document titles with the correct 2018 clause references
• Archive outdated documents to avoid confusion
• Confirm all related forms and logs are updated simultaneously
• Ensure digital versions match printed versions used on the floor

A clean document-control system prevents audit findings and keeps your team aligned with the new requirements.

FAQs – Updating PRPs for ISO 22000:2018

Do PRPs need a complete rewrite under ISO 22000:2018?

Usually not. Most organizations only need to refine controls, clarify responsibilities, and strengthen monitoring.

Which PRPs usually require the most updating?

Cleaning and sanitation, allergen control, personal hygiene, equipment maintenance, and traceability tend to reveal the biggest gaps.

How often should PRPs be reviewed?

At least annually or whenever equipment, ingredients, processes, or layouts change.

Conclusion – Your Next Step Toward Stronger PRPs and ISO 22000:2018 Compliance

Updated PRPs are the backbone of a strong food-safety system. When they’re aligned with ISO 22000:2018, your hazard analysis becomes clearer, your monitoring becomes more reliable, and your audits become much smoother.

Based on my experience supporting these transitions, the organizations that get PRPs right early are the ones who see fewer surprises later. If you want to move efficiently, your next step is simple: review your current PRPs using a structured checklist and update them with your team.