{"id":4467,"date":"2021-10-14T10:32:34","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T09:32:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imsm.com\/south-africa\/news\/why-are-iso-standards-important-in-the-food-industry\/"},"modified":"2021-10-14T10:36:48","modified_gmt":"2021-10-14T09:36:48","slug":"why-are-iso-standards-important-in-the-food-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imsm.com\/south-africa\/news\/why-are-iso-standards-important-in-the-food-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are ISO Standards important in the food industry?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As humans, we rely on food to survive. Since consuming food is an essential part of our day-to-day life, the food industry is always in high demand and under serious scrutiny. Therefore, it is crucial for anyone involved in the food industry to manage their food safety and minimize hazards. There are 4 common hazards the food industry needs to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Microbiological hazards – including bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Chemical hazards – such as pesticides, cleaning substances, pest control, and food additives\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Physical hazards – including packaging, glass, pest droppings, hair, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Allergens & cross-contamination\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Ensuring the quality and safety of your product is why ISO standards are so important. Most food we eat today goes through multiple journeys before reaching our plate. Therefore, it is crucial to take extra precautions when manufacturing, transporting and distributing food. Guaranteeing that the food we consume is safe from a hygienic and bacterial standpoint is vital. Not complying with food safety can result in a consumer becoming seriously ill, which can damage your reputation, result in severe fines, and in extreme cases, can directly result in company closure or liquidation.<\/span><\/p>\n

    There are specific ISO standards that businesses can use in the food industry to cut down on hazards associated with the making or manufacturing of food. Depending on your particular business, the benefits of ISO standards may differ. However, one of the most popular standards for food safety is the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    What is ISO 22000?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

    ISO 22000 was specially created to ensure the safe operation of those within the food industry. It provides a framework for measuring and assessing food safety risks and performance, including all aspects of the supply chain. ISO 22000 validates your ability to comply with hygiene standards, HACCP food safety procedures and confirms you have a robust Food Safety Management System in place.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What are the benefits of ISO 22000 certification?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Food safety systems, such as ISO 22000, provides a business with a set of policies and procedures to appropriately review and analyze food safety risks and hazards. ISO 22000 is the leading certification for the food industry because it is internationally recognized and based on the Annex SL framework, which comprises the continual improvement model.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    There are many benefits of an ISO 22000 certification; depending on what aspect of the food industry you operate in, benefits may vary. Below is an overview of the general benefits an ISO 22000 can offer:<\/span><\/p>\n