The wait is over: Version 7 of the FSSC 22000 Scheme is officially out. And as I anticipated in my post about the ISO 22002:2025 series update, one of the most awaited moves of this new version was precisely the formal adoption of that new family of Prerequisite Programs. Well, that's exactly what happened: V7 is built on the new ISO 22002-x:2025 series and that alone sets the tone of the whole update.

In this article I'll walk you through what changes, but —more importantly— what each change means in day-to-day operations, so you're not just left with a checklist.

I have spent years working in food safety, and during all that time I kept running into the same frustration: when a company has to comply with a food fraud requirement —under FSSC 22000, BRC, IFS or SQF— there is no clear reference methodology to lean on. HACCP has the Codex Alimentarius. TACCP has PAS 96. VACCP, however, had been left orphan.

After a lot of reading, writing, scrapping and starting over, I decided to close that gap. This week I published the Beira VACCP Framework (BVF) version 1.0, a complete, quantitative and auditable methodological guide to implement VACCP. And, just as importantly, I published it under a Creative Commons license so that any company, consultant, certification body or authority can use it without asking for permission.

This article is the introduction I wish someone had handed me ten years ago: what food fraud is, why it should matter, what problem the BVF solves and how it is structured.

If you work in the food industry, sooner or later you will encounter HACCP. Whether a customer requires it, you want to export, or you simply understand that food safety is non-negotiable, this article brings together everything you need to know to understand and implement the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system.

Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) are, arguably, the most underestimated topic in the food industry. Many companies invest time and resources in obtaining certifications, documenting HACCP plans and meeting international standard requirements, yet overlook the most basic element: the hygienic conditions that make everything else work.

I had the opportunity to review the draft update of ISO 9001 (ISO/DIS 9001) and I’d like to share with you the main changes I’ve identified, so you can stay up to date with what’s coming.

The first thing I can say is that —at least according to this draft published on August 27— we shouldn’t expect radical transformations. Instead, it’s mostly about editorial adjustments, minor structural reordering, and a few key updates worth noting.

Some time ago, I read a theory called “broken windows”, proposed by criminologists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in the 1980s.
The central idea is simple but powerful: if a broken window in a building is not repaired, more windows will soon be broken. Not because some people are “window-breakers” and others “law-abiding,” but because disorder sends a signal that no one cares, which makes more people act without considering the rules.

July closes with major developments in the world of food safety. If your company is certified under schemes like ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000, or if you're currently working toward certification, this article will help you understand the most recent changes and keep your Food Safety Management System (FSMS) up to date.

When it comes to boosting a company's growth, it's common for questions to arise about the right tools and certifications needed to achieve it. There's no doubt that there is a wealth of information on business growth, with millions of tips, techniques, and secrets that could prove useful. However, the real challenge lies in the dispersion of this information, making it difficult to assimilate and ultimately hindering us from achieving the desired results.

ISO standards require us to identify who the stakeholders are in our company concerning the management system we are implementing. Once identified, it is essential to understand their needs and expectations.

The implementation of projects related to ISO standards, as well as any other type of business project, can be a significant challenge. This challenge doesn't diminish when it comes to critical standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 22000. In this article, I will present five fundamental keys that are easy to understand and implement. These keys will be highly useful in effectively and successfully initiating the implementation of these standards in your company.

Dear entrepreneur, do you pay for time or for results?

By nature, most people tend to get comfortable in the environment they already know. After the initial drive when one of your employees joins your company, their motivation tends to plateau, and you can only temporarily boost it by giving them a raise.

However, raising the salary alone is not the answer to improving results and making your company competitive.

In response to frequent inquiries about the control of documented information in a quality management system, today I will explain the correct and efficient way to manage it in your organization.

In a previous article, I highlighted all the advantages of implementing a quality management system based on the ISO 9001 standard. However, it surprises me to see how many companies settle for meeting the minimum requirements to maintain a valid certification.

I am convinced that certification should not be the primary concern for your company, and below you will understand why.

FSSC 22000 Version 5 has been published, and in this article, I will highlight the major changes in this new edition. It is important to note that I will focus on the changes that impact companies operating under FSSC 22000 Version 4.1.

In recent days, I've had conversations with two different entrepreneurs, and in both cases, I noticed a very specific situation: they had heard about ISO 9001, but had no idea what it was for or what advantages implementing a Quality Management System like ISO 9001 in their companies could bring.

If you have recognized the need to implement a robust food safety management system and are considering HACCP, here are 5 key points covering everything you need to know about this important methodology.

In this article, we will provide you with five key steps to establish a strong organizational culture in your company, specifically tailored to the standards of the ISO 9001.

The relationship between organizational culture and the ISO 9001 standard is a fundamental aspect to consider. In all companies, organizational culture exerts both conscious and unconscious influence on the behavior of its members, which, in turn, affects the results achieved.

If your company is part of the food industry and has not yet implemented a Food Safety system, it is crucial that you read this article. Below, I will explain why you are navigating in dangerous territory every day.

The implementation of the ISO 9001 standard is a significant challenge for companies. As a consultant, I frequently receive requests for assistance from companies looking to improve their quality management systems. Despite having ISO 9001:2015 certification, their management systems fail to produce concrete results that drive improvement and goal achievement.

Finally, the updated version of the ISO 22000:2018 standard has been published. While the idea of adapting our management system to the new requirements may raise concerns, in this case, the change brings more benefits than concerns, especially if your company also implements other standards such as ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001. Integrated systems are now much simpler. Below, we will explain the structure of the new ISO 22000:2018 version.

On July 3, 2018, the long-awaited update of the ISO 19011 standard was published, marking the transition from its obsolete 2011 version to its updated 2018 version.

The decision to certify your company with an international standard is a crucial step to elevate your standards and evolve. While it's not a simple task, the results justify the effort and investment. The stages to obtain certification are as follows:

If your company is involved in production or service delivery, you are undoubtedly aware of the growing competition, both locally and globally. Furthermore, it's undeniable that customer expectations have been on the rise, making it easier for them to look towards the competition. In this landscape, it is crucial to develop strategies to stand out and stay in the market. The implementation of the ISO 9001 standard and obtaining certification can be your path to delivering high-quality products and services to your customers.

If you've ever wondered what the ISO 22000 Standard is and how to obtain its certification, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll simplify this global food safety standard and guide you through the certification process.

Food safety management systems, such as HACCP, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000, are widely used in the food industry to ensure the safety of food products. Although these systems share the goal of ensuring product safety, there are key differences that may influence your choice when implementing one of them.