First EU food firms get the new safety certification

Developed by major branded food manufacturers as an alternative to retailer-backed schemes such as the BRC (British Retail Consortium) global standard, FSSC 22000 secured full approval from standards benchmarking body the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) in February. The standard, which incorporates ISO 22000 and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 220, was now "globally acceptable as a ticket to trade", said Emma West, operations manager at food safety assurance specialist SAI Global.

Firms interested in the standard can download part one at http://www.fssc22000.com, said SAI, which is offering certification against the new standard. "There is a euro 100 admin fee per certificate, which is valid for three years, but you need an annual surveillance audit." Sites successfully audited under the new standard will be added to a publicly accessible online directory, said West.

West said: "As the scheme is now recognised by the GFSI, it is likely to be adopted more readily around the world."