Introduction
Besides this, due to the fast growth of the food industry, one of the biggest grown concerns in Nepal is food safety. Significantly, quality and safety regarding compliance with local and international regulations are important for business. ISO 22000 Certification helps an organization establish an effective Food Safety Management System that prevents the contamination of food and raises consumer confidence.
It explains the ISO 22000 certification procedure in Nepal, its requirements, benefits, and challenges which a company might face.
ISO 22000
ISO 22000 is an international standard for Food Safety Management Systems combining Hazard Analysis with Critical Control Points into a risk-managed approach. Following sectors it applies:
- Food Manufacturers and Processors
- Catering and Restaurants
- Storage and food packaging units
- Transportation and distribution business
- Retailers and wholesalers
Core Requirements of ISO 22000 Certification
Any business firm willing to be ISO 22000 certified in Nepal must address the following basic requirements of this standard:
1. Formulation of Food Safety Policy
It shall formulate the food safety policy based on principles laid down in ISO 22000 and relating Nepalese food laws.
2. HACCP Principles Implementation
Identification and control of hazards at critical points are the major requirements regarding food safety principles.
3. PRPs
Businesses should provide PRPs consisting of:
- GMP
- Hygiene and sanitation procedures
- Pest control and waste management
- Equipment maintenance and cleaning procedures
4. Risk Assessment and Preventive Actions
The business is in a position to identify risks in relation to food safety and come up with preventive as well as corrective actions.
5. Documentation and Record Keeping
The organization should provide full documentation for all the food safety procedures, audits, as well as monitoring activities.
6. Internal Audit and Continual Improvement
This also serves as the basis for continuing improvement of FSMS. Continuous improvement and effectiveness of FSMS are achieved only through regular internal audits.
Steps to Get ISO 22000 Certification in Nepal
It comprises several steps that include the following:
Step 1: Gap Analysis
Studying actual food safety management systems to figure out the gap against requirements, and improvements to be made in it.
Step 2: FSMS Implementation
To design and implement an appropriate Food Safety Management System in conformance with the ISO 22000 standard.
Step 3: Employee Training and Awareness
Personnel are trained in food safety procedures and HACCP principles to institute the best practices for successful implementation.
Step 4: Internal Audits and Corrective Actions
Internal audits are carried out to confirm the efficiency and effectiveness of the FSMS. These enable one to make amends to deficiencies before the certification audit.
Step 5: Certification Audit
Third-party certification by a certification body is done in two steps:
Stage 1: Document review and system readiness
Stage 2: On-site audit to assess FSMS implementation and effectiveness
At the end of the audit, food businesses will be ISO 22000 accredited for three years and further subjected to regular surveillance audits.
Benefits of ISO 22000 Certification
The major benefits that Nepalese food businesses will enjoy after ISO 22000 certification include:
- Ensuring regulatory compliances, both locally and internationally, on food safety.
- Improved confidence of the consumers: This would provide an assurance on food safety by improving brand equity.
- It becomes easy to access international markets because the standard applied at an international level lays down the standard.
- Operational Efficiency: There is a decrease in risks to food safety. It reduces waste and thereby the production process.
- It helps distinguish businesses with showcasing globally recognized food safety practices
Challenges while implementing ISO 22000 in Nepal
As it is found to be good, challenges where businesses might experience include:
- Limited awareness: Most SMEs are uninformed of ISO 22000 and the benefits accrued from them.
- Financial Constraints: Most of the small-scale businesses cannot afford the cost of certification, training, and auditing processes.
- Resource Limitations: Lack of enough personnel and infrastructural capacity to implement the food safety management system within the SMEs.
- Resistance to Change: Resistance from the employees for the new proceedings towards food safety, which includes the requirements of documentation.
Conclusion:
Definitely, the ISO 22000 certification will give another stride to the Nepalese food industries in improving food safety, regulatory compliance, and market access. The key factor for achieving and maintaining the ISO 22000 accreditation is investment in the training of the employees within the organization in order to face challenges and follow a scheduled plan for implementation.
Indeed, this would bring better management for food safety with the adoption of ISO 22000 standards regarding operational efficiencies so as to regain consumer confidence in attaining sustainable performance of a growing food industry in Nepal. Visit https://www.isocertificationinnepal.com/ to learn more about ISO.
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