The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has officially recognised the FSSC 22000 Version 7 certification scheme as meeting the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024, confirming its alignment with the latest international food safety requirements.
The recognition, announced on 11 November 2026, represents a significant achievement for food businesses already certified to FSSC 22000 and those considering implementing an internationally recognised food safety management system.
This recognition follows a rigorous assessment process designed to verify that certification schemes meet GFSI requirements, with the aim of promoting high standards, reliability and harmonisation across global food supply chains.
Why GFSI Recognition Matters to Businesses
GFSI is an international initiative promoted by the Consumer Goods Forum, bringing together major food industry and retail operators to improve food safety and encourage the recognition of reliable certification schemes.
GFSI recognition is an important commercial qualification factor, as many retailers, food manufacturers and international supply chains require their suppliers to hold certifications based on GFSI-recognised schemes.
For FSSC 22000-certified organisations, this translates into several benefits:
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Greater access to international markets: certification can facilitate entry into the supply chains of major manufacturers and retailers that require GFSI-recognised schemes.
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Increased customer confidence: compliance with internationally shared requirements provides additional assurance regarding the reliability of food safety management systems.
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More efficient audits: recognition can help reduce the need for repeated audits by different customers, improving efficiency in supplier relationships.
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Greater competitiveness: certification provides a competitive advantage in supplier selection and qualification processes.
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Continuous improvement: adopting updated requirements encourages a structured approach to risk prevention and process control.
It is important to clarify that GFSI does not directly certify companies, but recognises certification schemes. Acceptance of certificates in commercial relationships remains subject to customers' specific requirements and the recognised scope of certification.
FSSC 22000 Version 7: A Management System Updated to Meet New Supply Chain Needs
Published in May 2026, Version 7 of the FSSC 22000 scheme introduces updates that strengthen the effectiveness of food safety management systems and further align them with market expectations.
The main changes include:
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Integration of the new ISO 22002:2025 series, covering prerequisite programmes (PRPs), with a harmonised structure that facilitates the application of requirements across different supply chain sectors.
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Alignment with the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements 2024, ensuring consistency with international expectations.
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Strengthened FSSC 22000 additional requirements, covering key areas such as Food Defense, Food Fraud, allergen management, environmental monitoring and food safety culture.
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Greater attention to packaging sustainability, through the introduction of design principles also aimed at reducing food loss and waste.
The new version therefore reinforces the role of certification not only as a food safety management tool, but also as a means of improving organisational performance and business resilience.
Which Sectors Are Covered by the Recognition?
GFSI recognition of Version 7 covers several areas of the food supply chain, including:
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Primary processing of plant products.
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Primary processing of animal products.
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Processing of perishable foods and ambient-stable products.
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Feed production.
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Storage and distribution services.
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Food packaging manufacturing.
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Production of chemicals, biochemicals and biocultures used as ingredients or processing aids.
The wide range of recognised sectors confirms the ability of the FSSC 22000 scheme to address food safety needs across different stages of the supply chain.
What Changes for Already Certified Businesses and Those Seeking Certification?
For businesses already certified to FSSC 22000, the recognition confirms the scheme's international standing and the value of investments made in food safety management.
However, organisations will still need to plan their transition to Version 7, assessing the changes introduced and identifying any necessary adjustments to their management systems.
According to the official FSSC transition schedule:
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30 April 2027: last day for conducting audits against Version 6.
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1 May 2027 to 30 April 2028: transition period for upgrading audits to Version 7.
For businesses seeking certification, FSSC 22000 Version 7 offers an opportunity to implement a food safety management system based on ISO 22000, integrated with sector-specific prerequisite programmes and additional requirements.
GFSI recognition can also be a decisive factor when selecting a certification scheme, particularly for companies operating, or planning to operate, with international customers and major retail chains.
CSQA's Role in FSSC 22000 Certification
CSQA supports food businesses in their FSSC 22000 certification processes, helping them demonstrate the value of their food safety management systems through independent assessments.
The evolution of the scheme and its latest GFSI recognition confirm the importance of investing in structured management systems capable of meeting customer expectations and the growing demands of international supply chains.
For businesses, FSSC 22000 certification therefore represents not only a means of demonstrating their commitment to food safety, but also a strategic tool for strengthening reliability, reputation and market competitiveness.