Standards / Food Safety Management
ISO 22000:2018
Food Safety Management Systems
A complete reference to the standard, plus the ISTO Test of Understanding and downloadable syllabus. Whatever their size or product, all food producers have a responsibility to manage the safety of their products and the well-being of their consumers. ISO 22000 maps out exactly what it takes to control food safety hazards across the supply chain.
320K+
certificates issued worldwide
150+
countries using ISO 22000
HACCP
principles built into the framework
1. About ISO 22000
ISO 22000 is the internationally recognized standard for food safety management systems (FSMS). It sets out the requirements for a food safety management system and maps out what an organization needs to do to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards in order to ensure that food is safe at the time of human consumption. ISO's food safety management standards help organizations identify and control food safety hazards, at the same time as working together with other ISO management systems, such as ISO 9001.
The standard can be used by any organization regardless of its size or position in the food chain. By combining interactive communication, system management, prerequisite programmes and the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), ISO 22000 provides a layer of reassurance within the global food supply chain, helping products cross borders and bringing people food they can trust. It integrates readily with other management system standards through the shared Annex SL high-level structure.
Why is ISO 22000 important?
Business benefits include:
Hazard control
The standard helps organizations systematically identify, evaluate and control food safety hazards using HACCP principles, reducing the risk of contamination and product recalls.
Universal applicability
ISO 22000 can be used by any organization regardless of its size or position in the food chain, from primary producers to manufacturers, retailers and food service providers.
Supply-chain confidence
Certification provides a layer of reassurance within the global food supply chain, helping products cross borders and bringing consumers food they can trust.
Integrated management
Built on the shared Annex SL structure, ISO 22000 works together with other ISO management standards such as ISO 9001, streamlining audits and continual improvement.
ISO 22000 has been amended for a changing world
ISO 22000:2018/Amd 1:2024 introduced climate-change considerations into the food safety management system requirements. Our syllabus already tracks the amended requirements. Get ahead of the change.
2. ISTO Test of Understanding on ISO 22000:2018
This test is developed for ISO management system standards ("MSS") professionals such as middle and senior management personnel, responsible persons (as defined under clause 5.3), internal auditors, third party certification body auditors and advisors/consultants who are instrumental in the effectiveness of the MSS implementation. It is a multiple choice test designed with three outcomes:
- Certifying the candidate on their understanding of the respective standard
- Measuring the level of understanding in the eight (8) A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis domains
- Ranking a candidate's performance in a personalised analytics report
What candidates receive
Certificate of Achievement
Verifiable proof of understanding, with a unique URL.
Click to enlarge ↗
Personalised analytics report
Includes your A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E analysis across eight domains and your percentile ranking against the test population.
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More than just understanding
An ISTO Test focuses not only on understanding the requirements of a standard but is also designed to ensure that those who pass the test have demonstrated a knowledge of the underlying management system principles, definitions, applicability, distinguishing requirements from unspecified requirements and the standard's practical implementation.
Credibility
Employers of ISO 22000 auditors/consultants/tutors would find the ISTO TOU qualification a good benchmark in their selection process, as the ISTO TOU adds value to employees' overall performance excellence and consistency. A course tutor with an ISTO TOU credential is able to offer learners a more accurate and complete presentation of the standard.
3. Structure of the Test of Understanding
The ISTO TOU consists of multiple choice questions with four (4) possible options of which only one (1) represents the 'best' option. The ISTO TOU is a Restricted-open-book online test, however candidates are allowed to refer to an unmarked copy of the respective ISO standard which is the only permitted reference material during the test. In an online test, the standard copy will be provided in a separate window, in addition to the test window.
Four options, one best
Each question has a single best answer.
Restricted-open-book, online
Taken on the ISTO test portal.
Standard in a side window
Refer to an unmarked copy of ISO 22000, the only permitted reference.
1) Which of the following is a core element required by ISO 22000 for a food safety management system?
Question Panel
Difference between Level 1 Test and Level 2 Test
The Level 1 test assesses a candidate's understanding of the basic principles and requirements of an ISO management system standard (MSS). The Level 2 is a comprehensive test that covers principles, requirements, and the implementation in various scenarios and business sectors.
| Level 1 — Practitioner | Level 2 — Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Time allowed | 120 minutes | 180 minutes |
| No. of questions | 80 | 120 |
| Pass criteriaCandidates who meet the Pass criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement | 60% | 70% |
| Distinction criteriaCandidates who meet the Distinction criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement with Distinction | 80% | 85% |
| A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E AnalysisAll candidates will receive a report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains in the star diagram | ✓ Report included | ✓ Report included |
Test Sections Breakdown
How the questions are distributed across each level.
SECTION 1
20 questions
Principles and definitions, applicability, clause 4.3
SECTION 2
30 questions
Management system requirements based on clauses 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 (except clause 4.3)
SECTION 3
30 questions
Operational requirements based on clauses 7 and 8
SECTION 1
30 questions
Principles and definitions, applicability, clause 4.3
SECTION 2
30 questions
Management system requirements based on clauses 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 (except clause 4.3)
SECTION 3
30 questions
Operational requirements based on clauses 7 and 8
SECTION 4
30 questions
Six (6) scenarios with five (5) questions each focusing on practical aspects
4. A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis
Based on ISTO's research and endorsed by the ISTO Technical Advisory Board, the level of comprehension of an ISO management system standard can be grouped into eight (8) domains of understanding.
- Acan Actual requirement in the standard related to documentation.
- CoConcept - the management principles on which the management system standard is based. This includes the sequence of activities as required in the standard.
- Cthe unique Clause reference of a specific requirement in the ISO management system standard.
- Uan Unspecified requirement in the standard (a requirement that does not exist).
- Ra certain Requirement in the Standard (i.e. the text of the requirement).
- Athe Applicability of the standard. This includes the intent of a requirement, and the scope of the standard.
- TTerms and definitions used in the standard. Generally these are defined in Clause 3 of each ISO management system standard. In the case of ISO 9001 QMS, terms and definitions are defined in the ISO 9000 standard.
- Ean Erroneous requirement in the standard related to documentation.
5. Test Description and Syllabus
Two levels, available in English and Traditional Chinese. Select a document to download.
Level 1 — Practitioner
Level 2 — Professional
6. Test Language Availability
ISO 22000:2018
Food Safety Management Systems
English
English
English, Español, Français, Portuguese, 中文 (HK), 中文 (PRC), 中文 (TW)