FSSC 22000 Version 5.1 – What’s New?

In November 2020, FSSC 22000 published a new FSSC 22000 version to align with the latest GFSI requirements. The new FSSC 22000 V5.1 will come into effect on 1 April 2021, and all sites must be audited against Version 5.1 by 31 March 2022.

There are only a few changes in the main requirements, but there are detailed changes in the FSSC 22000 additional requirements.

The key changes are covered below.

SECTION 2.5.1: Management of Services and Purchased Materials

• Purchased materials – Firstly, the words “Purchased materials” have been added to section 2.5.1.
• Internal laboratories – In addition, Section 2.5.1 (a) emphasizes internal laboratories. The newer version requires that the laboratories used internally and externally must be deemed competent. Previously this only seemed to refer to external laboratories.
• Procurement during emergencies – Under section 2.5.1 (b), products falling under category C, D, I, G and K have a further requirement to have a documented procedure on how the organisation does its procurement during emergencies.
• Regulated substances – Section 2.5.1 (c) necessitate that the company have a policy on the procurement of animals, fish and seafood that may contain substances that are regulated, for example, heavy metals which in South Africa is regulated by Regulation R588, pesticides that are regulated by Regulation Government Notice No. R. 246 of 11 February 1994, and its subsequent amendments.
• Review process on all product specifications – Under Section 2.5.1(d), the organisation is supposed to ensure a review process followed on all product specifications to ensure that it still complies with all requirements such as product safety, integrity, legality, and customer requirements. This applies to products falling under categories C, D, I, G and K.

---

SECTION 2.5.2: Product Labelling

Section 2.5.2 cover additional provision for unlabelled products.

The word ALL has been added to emphasize the need to observe all statutory and regulatory requirement in the country of product origin. The labelling should take into account the allergen information and customer requirements.

---

SECTION 2.5.10: Storage and Warehousing Requirements

• Stock rotation system – Under Section 2.5.10(a), there must be a documented procedure specifying the stock rotation system. Also, applying the first in and first out principle for all product categories is now a requirement.
• Post-slaughter time and temperature – Under Section 2.5.10(b), it is now a requirement that the organisation must specify a post-slaughter time and temperature of products requiring freezing or chilling.

---

SECTION 2.5.11: Measures to Prevent Cross-contamination and Hazard Control

• Section 2.5.11 touches on measures about the prevention of cross-contamination and the control of hazards.

• Section 2.5.11(a) requires that organisations provide specific food packaging requirements that have a functional impact on food. This applies to food falling under category I. An example of this would be Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP).
• Section 2.5.11(b) requires that organisations falling under category CI must conduct facility inspections. The inspection ensures that the animals are still safe for consumption during slaughter or evisceration.

---

SECTION 2.5.12: Prerequisite Programmes Verification

A programme to verify PRPs must be established and maintained and shall be based on risk. The risk assessment must follow the defined criteria and technical specification and ensure product safety.

This requirement is applicable to the following food categories; C, D, E, F, I and K. The PRP verification schedule can go hand in hand with the internal audit risk assessment as shown below.

---

SECTION 2.5.13: Product Development

For products falling under categories: C, D, E, F, I and K, it is now a requirement that a product design and development procedure that ensures that whenever a new product is developed, its safety and legality is maintained.

Validation of the product, including its shelf life, must also be done while ensuring that it is safe during production processes.

Furthermore, the new product’s impact on existing products must be determined, including additional training and additional resources needed.

---

SECTION 2.5.14: Health Status (Category D)

There shall be a procedure that ensures that employees’ health has no negative impact on feed production. Employees shall undergo pre-employment medical screening and ongoing medical check-ups based on risk assessment unless they indicate otherwise.

The organisation shall observe the country’s regulatory restrictions in terms of medical screening.

---

SECTION 2.5.15: Multisite Certification

Additional requirements regarding the way internal audit should be conducted, report review, frequency of the audits, and internal auditors’ competency for multisite certification.

---

Conclusion

The main changes aim to bring FSSC 22000 inline with GFSI scheme requirements. Many of these additional requirements are already covered by some facilities.

Do you need help? ASC Consultants specialises in all aspects of the implementation of Food Safety Management Systems like FSSC 22000. Get in touch with us.

Have a look at our complete (170+ documents) FSSC 22000 documentation templates toolkit, which includes all the requirements of the new FSSC 22000 Version 5.1.