Page 2 - Getting Started

The world of food safety standards and certification
is relatively new to many people. This book was
written as a resource to help pull all of the pieces
of certification together so companies can build a
strong foundation for the future.
It is our belief that the demand for certification to
one of the food safety management systems is
going to grow in leaps and bounds over the next
several years. We also believe that to have a truly
effective food safety management system (FSMS)
that provides confidence in the entire food chain,
it must include auditing that is conducted through
third-party certification with “oversight” from an
accreditation body (also called AB).
Certification cannot be seen as just a one-time
event.

The FSMS should create a food safety culture that is
maintained throughout the year and requires a
strong partnership with an accredited third-party
certification body (CB). The certification body
provides a business with the extra set of eyes to
verify the food safety management system is
working and is effective. This process is part of a
company’s risk management process and may even
help to identify cost-saving opportunities.

Third-party certification provides written assurances
that the audits are performed in conformance to
internationally recognized standards, includes
impartiality, and is conducted by an accredited
certification body and auditor that are competent
with industry knowledge to perform the audits.