Standards Comparison

    ISO 22000

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for food safety management systems

    VS

    IFS Food

    Voluntary
    2023

    Global standard for food safety and quality manufacturing.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 22000 provides comprehensive FSMS governance for global food chains, while IFS Food delivers retailer-focused product/process audits. Companies adopt ISO for integrated management and GFSI foundation; IFS for European market access and private-label compliance.

    Food Safety

    ISO 22000

    ISO 22000:2018 Food safety management systems

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Adopts High-Level Structure for integrated management systems
    • Uses two nested PDCA cycles for governance and operations
    • Integrates HACCP principles with full management system
    • Categorizes controls as PRPs, OPRPs, and CCPs systematically
    • Emphasizes interactive communication across food chain
    Food Safety

    IFS Food

    IFS Food Version 8

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Product and Process Approach with audit trail
    • Risk-based HACCP and operational controls
    • Annual audits with unannounced option
    • 10 Knock-Out requirements for certification
    • GFSI-benchmarked for food manufacturers

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 22000 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 22000:2018 is an international certification standard for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It applies to any organization in the food chain, providing a systematic framework to ensure safe food through hazard prevention, regulatory compliance, and chain-wide communication. Built on a risk-based approach with two PDCA cycles—organizational and operational—it integrates HACCP principles.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 following High-Level Structure (HLS) for integration.
    • PRPs, hazard analysis, CCPs/OPRPs, traceability, verification.
    • Leadership, planning, support, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Certification via accredited bodies with staged audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets customer/regulatory demands, enables market access.
    • Reduces recalls, enhances resilience, builds trust.
    • Supports GFSI schemes like FSSC 22000.
    • Drives efficiency, continual improvement.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, PRPs, hazard plans, training, audits.
    • Scalable for SMEs to multinationals in food sectors globally.
    • Requires 6-18 months, internal audits, management reviews for certification.

    IFS Food Details

    What It Is

    IFS Food Version 8 is a GFSI-benchmarked certification standard for auditing product and process compliance in food manufacturing. It focuses on ensuring safe, legal, authentic products meeting customer specifications via a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA).

    Key Components

    • Organized into governance, HACCP/PRPs, operational controls (e.g., allergens, fraud, defense), and performance monitoring.
    • Over 200 checklist requirements with 10 Knock-Out (KO) criteria.
    • Built on HACCP principles, prerequisite programs, and annual audits.
    • Two certification levels: Higher (≥95%) and Foundation (≥75%).

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets European retailer demands for private-label supply.
    • Reduces duplicate audits, enhances supply chain trust.
    • Manages risks like recalls, fraud, contamination.
    • Provides competitive market access and operational efficiency.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased gap analysis, FSMS development, training, internal audits.
    • Site-specific for food processors; annual audits (announced/unannounced).
    • Targets manufacturers globally, especially Europe-focused.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 22000
    Full FSMS with governance and hazard control
    IFS Food
    Product/process compliance and quality audit

    Industry

    ISO 22000
    All food chain organizations worldwide
    IFS Food
    Food manufacturers, mainly European retailers

    Nature

    ISO 22000
    Voluntary ISO management system standard
    IFS Food
    GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme

    Testing

    ISO 22000
    Risk-based internal audits, management review
    IFS Food
    Annual on-site PPA audits with traceability tests

    Penalties

    ISO 22000
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    IFS Food
    Certificate denial, no legal penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 22000 and IFS Food

    ISO 22000 FAQ

    IFS Food FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

    Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

    Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages