Decoding ISO Standards for Food Safety: A Paje

Consulting Guide

In the ever-evolving food industry, maintaining the highest standards of food safety is not only essential for consumer protection but also for sustaining your business’s reputation and success. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards are among the most widely recognized benchmarks for ensuring food safety practices are robust and consistent across the globe.

At Paje Consulting, we help businesses navigate the complexities of ISO standards, particularly when it comes to food safety. In this guide, we’ll break down the key ISO standards that apply to food safety, how they can benefit your business, and how we can assist you in achieving and maintaining certification.

Why ISO Standards Matter in Food Safety

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops globally recognized standards that provide frameworks for managing risk, improving quality, and ensuring consistency. In the food sector, ISO standards are especially critical for:

• Ensuring safe production and handling practices

• Meeting regulatory and customer requirements

• Gaining market access through certification

• Driving operational improvements and cost savings

Key ISO Standards in the Food Industry

✅ ISO 22000: Food Safety Management Systems

This is the backbone standard for food safety. ISO 22000 outlines how to develop and maintain a Food Safety Management System (FSMS), integrating principles from HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).

Core elements include:

• Risk-based thinking

• Prerequisite programs (PRPs)

• Interactive communication across the supply chain

• Continuous improvement processes

It’s ideal for any organization in the food chain, from farm to fork.

✅ ISO/TS 22002 Series: Prerequisite Programs

These technical specifications provide sector-specific PRPs that work in tandem with ISO 22000. Examples include:

• ISO/TS 22002-1 for food manufacturing

• ISO/TS 22002-4 for food packaging manufacturing

• ISO/TS 22002-6 for feed production

Together with ISO 22000, these documents form the foundation of FSSC 22000 certification.

✅ ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems

Though not food-specific, ISO 9001 focuses on consistent quality and customer satisfaction—making it a strong complementary standard for food businesses seeking to align safety with quality objectives.

✅ ISO 14001 & ISO 45001: Environment & Occupational Health and Safety

For food companies aiming for broader sustainability and operational excellence, these standards support:

• Environmental stewardship (ISO 14001)

• Workplace safety and well-being (ISO 45001)

They can be integrated with food safety systems for a comprehensive management approach.

How Paje Consulting Helps You Succeed

Understanding the standards is one thing—implementing them effectively is another. That’s where Paje Consulting comes in.

Our ISO Services Include:

• Gap analysis & readiness assessments

• FSMS development and documentation

• Internal audits & audit preparation

• Custom training for your team

• Full support toward ISO or FSSC certification