FSSC 22000 Version 7 achieves recognition against GFSI’s Benchmarking Requirements v2024

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), an Industry Solution of the Consumer Goods Forum, today announced that Foundation FSSC’s updated certification scheme, FSSC 22000 Version 7, has successfully achieved recognition against GFSI’s Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024.

Aldin Hilbrands, CEO of Foundation FSSC, said:

The GFSI recognition of the FSSC 22000 Certification Scheme Version 7 confirms that its food safety management system certification requirements continue to keep pace with the expectations of the global food industry. We developed Version 7 to integrate the latest ISO 22002 food safety prerequisite programs, align with the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2024, and strengthen the contribution that FSSC 22000 Certified Organizations make towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals focused on reducing Food Loss & Waste by including parts of the SAVE Food Packaging design principles. This recognition provides brand owners and other end-users with assurance that FSSC 22000 remains a trusted foundation for safe food worldwide.

Karla Mijatovic, GFSI Senior Technical Manager at The Consumer Goods Forum, said:

By achieving recognition against GFSI’s Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024, Foundation FSSC continues to strengthen trust and consistency across the global food value chain, ensuring high standards from processing through to packaging and distribution.

Scope of GFSI Recognition

GFSI recognition for FSSC 22000 Version 7 covers the following product and service scopes:

• BIII – Pre-process Handling of Plant Products
• C0 – Animal Primary Conversion
• CI – Processing of Perishable Animal Products
• CII – Processing of Perishable Plant Products
• CIII – Processing of Perishable Animal and Plant Products (Mixed Products)
• CIV – Processing of Ambient Stable Animal and Plant Products (Mixed Products)
• D – Production of Feed
• G – Provision of Storage and Distribution Services
• I – Production of Food Packaging
• K – Production of (Bio) Chemicals and Bio-cultures Used as Food Ingredients or Processing Aids in Food Production

About the GFSI Benchmarking Process

Benchmarking is a rigorous process where specific food safety programmes designed by Certification Programme Owners (CPOs) are evaluated against GFSI’s Benchmarking Requirements. Built to ensure objectivity, transparency, and technical depth, the pathway follows strict steps to obtain official GFSI recognition. A programme earns the ‘recognised’ status only when it is verified to meet every requirement. The complete step-by-step pathway is defined in GFSI Benchmark requirements, v2024 part 1, available on the GFSI website.  

About Foundation FSSC

Foundation FSSC is an independent, non-profit scheme owner dedicated to building trust and driving impact across the global consumer goods industry and its associated value chains. Through internationally accepted standards, comprehensive integrity monitoring, and advanced assurance platforms, FSSC supports organizations in implementing resilient food safety and quality management systems. Learn more at www.fssc.com.

About GFSI

With an estimated 866 million people affected by foodborne illnesses each year, maintaining robust safety systems is a top priority for consumer goods leaders. To support risk mitigation and foster continuous improvement, GFSI brings together members from across the food industry to align on voluntary food safety certification programmes. GFSI is an Industry Solution of the Consumer Goods Forum. 

What we do

GFSI works to build trust in the global food supply by benchmarking third-party certification programmes. GFSI implements an industry-led, science-backed framework that helps harmonise safety requirements. This alignment ensures that independent businesses can operate with confidence, reducing trade barriers and driving higher safety standards at every point in the supply chain.

Further information

You will find additional information in our dedicated FAQs, particularly in the section For industry: GFSI recognition and your certificate. 

If you have any further questions, please contact Foundation FSSC: questions@fssc.com