The food safety field encompasses multiple standards: international standards (Codex), management system standards (ISO 22000), GFSI-recognized certifications (FSSC 22000, BRC), and domestic regulations (Food Sanitation Act). These standards are required for export, major retailer supply, and domestic HACCP certification.
Codex Alimentarius HACCP 7 Principles 12 Steps -- The Foundation of International Food Safety
Why does this standard matter?
The Codex Alimentarius HACCP 7 Principles form the basis of all HACCP certifications worldwide. Whether pursuing domestic HACCP certification, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, or BRC, these 7 principles serve as the fundamental criteria. In food safety audits, "Are you operating according to Codex HACCP principles?" is the most basic question.
How is it applied in VEXPLOR?
| Codex HACCP Step | What It Means for Your Operations | How VEXPLOR Addresses It |
|---|
| Preliminary 1: Assemble HACCP Team | A multidisciplinary team responsible for food safety must be formed | HACCP team member management (roles/qualifications/expertise areas) |
| Preliminary 2: Product Description | Product characteristics (pH, water activity, packaging, distribution conditions) must be documented | Product description (pH/Aw/packaging/shelf life/storage conditions) |
| Preliminary 3: Identify Intended Use | The product's intended use and target consumers must be clearly defined | Intended use/target consumer fields |
| Preliminary 4: Process Flow Diagram | All processes from raw material receipt to shipping must be diagrammed | Process flow diagram (process step sequence, CCP indication, tree-type visualization) |
| Preliminary 5: On-site Verification | The flow diagram must be verified against actual plant conditions | On-site verification notes within flow diagrams |
| Principle 1: Hazard Analysis | Potential hazards in all processes must be analyzed | Hazard analysis (B/C/P classification, severity x likelihood, decision tree Q1-Q4) |
| Principle 2: CCP Determination | Critical control points where control is essential must be determined | CCP definition (decision tree-based CCP determination, is_ccp flag) |
| Principle 3: Critical Limits | Acceptable limits for CCPs must be established | Critical limits (upper/lower bounds), operational limits (target values) |
| Principle 4: Monitoring System | CCPs must be regularly measured/observed | POP on-site monitoring + automatic deviation detection workflow |
| Principle 5: Corrective Actions | Immediate action must be taken when critical limits are exceeded | Corrective action workflow (immediate action > root cause > corrective/preventive > effectiveness verification) |
| Principle 6: Verification Procedures | The HACCP system must be verified for effective operation | Periodic verification (WF2) + CCP validation (WF5) + internal audit |
| Principle 7: Record Keeping | All HACCP activities must be documented | Document management (6 templates) + audit trail (connectUsers) |
ISO 22000:2018 -- Food Safety Management System
Why does this standard matter?
ISO 22000 is the international standard integrating HACCP principles with a management system framework. International business partners frequently ask "Do you have ISO 22000 certification?" It requires systematic management of management commitment to food safety, prerequisite programs, hazard analysis and HACCP plans, and verification and improvement.
How is it applied in VEXPLOR?
| ISO 22000 Clause | What It Means for Your Operations | How VEXPLOR Addresses It |
|---|
| 5.1 Leadership and commitment | Management must demonstrate responsibility and commitment to food safety | Food safety culture assessment (including leadership score) |
| 6.1 Risk/opportunity | Risks affecting food safety must be assessed and addressed | Hazard analysis (risk assessment matrix) |
| 7.1-7.2 Resources/competence | Appropriate personnel, equipment, and training must be in place | Monitoring equipment management, HACCP training records |
| 8.2 Prerequisite programs | Basic hygiene/facility management through GMP, SSOP must be maintained | 6 PRP tables (sanitation/OPRP/pest control/water) + daily inspection workflow |
| 8.5 Hazard analysis/HACCP plan | Systematic hazard analysis and HACCP planning required | Integrated hazard analysis + HACCP plan + CCP definition management |
| 8.7 Monitoring/measurement control | Equipment used for monitoring must be calibrated | Monitoring equipment calibration management workflow (WF8) |
| 8.8 Verification | HACCP system effectiveness must be periodically verified | Periodic verification (WF2) + CCP validation (WF5) + LIMS test result integration |
| 8.9 Nonconforming product control | Affected products must be managed when critical limits are breached | CCP result-based disposition (release/hold/destroy/rework/return) branching |
| 9.1-9.2 Analysis/internal audit | Data must be analyzed and internal audits conducted | Dashboard widgets (10) + internal audit records |
| 10.1 Corrective action | Corrective actions must be performed for nonconformities | Corrective action workflow (automated) + QMS CAPA integration |
Note: A dedicated management review (cl.9.3) record table is planned for future addition. Currently partially addressed through dashboards and verification records.
FSSC 22000 v6 -- GFSI-Recognized Certification Scheme
Why does this standard matter?
GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) is the food safety certification standard that major global retailers and food companies require from suppliers. Supplying to global retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Tesco, and Carrefour effectively requires a GFSI-recognized certification (FSSC 22000, BRC, or SQF). FSSC 22000 v6 is the latest version adding additional requirements to ISO 22000.
How is it applied in VEXPLOR?
| FSSC 22000 v6 Clause | What It Means for Your Operations | How VEXPLOR Addresses It |
|---|
| 2.5.1 Food Safety Culture | Organization-wide food safety awareness and behavior levels must be measured and improved | 5-dimension assessment (leadership/communication/training/risk awareness/engagement), maturity management |
| 2.5.3 Allergen Management | Allergen cross-contamination must be prevented and labeling managed | ELISA/PCR testing records, cross-contamination risk assessment, label management |
| 2.5.4 Environmental Monitoring | Manufacturing environment microbial contamination levels must be monitored | Zone 1-4 classification, Listeria EMP trend analysis, LIMS test result integration |
| 2.5.5 Food Fraud (VACCP) | Food fraud vulnerability must be assessed and mitigation measures established | Fraud type/vulnerability assessment/mitigation measure management |
| 2.5.7 Food Defense (TACCP) | Intentional contamination threats must be assessed and addressed | Currently managed together with VACCP (TACCP separation planned for future enhancement) |
| 2.5.10 Mock Recall | Recall procedure effectiveness must be periodically tested | Mock recall workflow (4-hour rule automatic determination, automatic report generation) |
BRC Global Standard v9 -- British Retail Consortium Food Safety Standard
Why does this standard matter?
BRC v9 is a GFSI-recognized certification primarily required for export to the UK and European markets. BRC certification is essential for supplying major UK retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, etc.). It sets specific requirements for traceability, allergen management, and food fraud vulnerability assessment.
How is it applied in VEXPLOR?
| BRC v9 Requirement | What It Means for Your Operations | How VEXPLOR Addresses It |
|---|
| HACCP Plan | A Codex-based HACCP plan must be in place | HACCP plan + CCP definition fully implemented |
| Traceability | Tracing from raw material to finished product must be possible within 4 hours | MES LOT-integrated forward/backward tracing, 4-hour rule automatic determination |
| Allergen Management | Allergen cross-contamination prevention and labeling management required | ELISA/PCR testing, cross-contamination risk assessment, label management |
| Food Fraud Vulnerability | Food fraud vulnerability assessments must be performed | Food fraud vulnerability assessment (fraud type/vulnerability/mitigation measures) |
| Supplier Approval | Raw material supplier food safety capabilities must be evaluated | Supplier audit (3-stage: document/on-site/testing, A-F grading) + LIMS integration |
| Environmental Monitoring | Manufacturing environment microbial contamination must be monitored | Zone 1-4, Listeria EMP, trend analysis |
| Internal Audit | Food safety systems must be regularly audited | Internal audit records + corrective action linkage |
| Training | Relevant staff must be trained with records maintained | Training type/assessment/expiry alerts |
Korean Food Sanitation Act / HACCP Certification Standards
Why does this standard matter?
Domestic food manufacturers must verify whether they are subject to mandatory HACCP application under the Food Sanitation Act. HACCP certification from the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute is the foundation of food safety management, and Article 48 of the Food Sanitation Act stipulates traceability obligations.
How is it applied in VEXPLOR?
LOT-based traceability addresses the traceability obligation under Article 48 of the Food Sanitation Act. Certification management (certifying body, certification date, expiration date) tracks renewal schedules, and a record-keeping system meeting the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute's certification standards is in place.