FOOD SAFETY & FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT

Food safety is critical to the viability of the hospitality industry. IH&RA has consistently promoted food safety and security through its national associations and publications.

Developments at ISO

• The draft standard was approved by a formal vote by the Member Bodies of ISO over a 2-month voting period in May to July 05.
• The family of standards will include:
  1. ISO 22004 Food Safety Management Systems-Guidance on the application of ISO 22000:2005 (published Nov 2005), giving guidance on the implementation of ISO 22000, with specific regard to small businesses.
  2. ISO 22003 Food Safety Management Systems-Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems will provide guidance for accreditation of certification bodies. (to be published early 2006)
  3. ISO 22005, Traceability in the feed and foodchain-General principles and guidance for system design and development (to be circulated as a draft international standard)
  4. ISO is also preparing an easy to use checklist for small businesses and developing countries, entitled ISO22000: Are you ready?

Action

• Meetings of Working Group 8 in TC 34 in relation to implementation for SMEs and to certification offer IH&RA and its members opportunities to press for:
  1. recognition of the foodservice and catering industry as separate and different from both the agro-food industry and the retail food industry.
  2. inclusion of modifications already requested.
• Working in close co-operation with some of its key members on the food service side, IH&RA has drafted an official position on Food Safety which is currently being reviewed by membership. Finalisation and publication of this position will lend weight to IH&RA’s lobbying position.

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