FSSC 22000 Version 4: Unannounced Audits, Food Fraud and Food Defence
Version 4 of the FSSC 22000 scheme was published in December 2016. Certified sites should prepare for unannounced audits and new requirements on food fraud and food defence.
Key points
- Version 4 was published in December 2016, with audits against it from January 2018.
- At least one surveillance audit in each three-year cycle becomes unannounced.
- Food fraud prevention and food defence become additional scheme requirements.
What changes
- Unannounced audits: one of the two surveillance audits in the certification cycle is carried out without notice.
- Food fraud prevention: a documented vulnerability assessment and control measures.
- Food defence: a threat assessment and controls against intentional contamination.
- Critical nonconformities: a new grade for failures that directly affect food safety or legality.
Preparing for an unannounced audit
The system has to work every day, not only in audit week. Make sure deputies are named for key roles, records are completed in real time, and reception knows what to do when an auditor arrives without an appointment.
Next steps
Update the hazard analysis procedures to include fraud vulnerability and threat assessment, train the food safety team on both methods, and agree blackout dates with your certification body where the scheme rules allow.