An international standard known as ISO 22000 outlines the specifications for a food safety management system. Food producers can control the safety of their goods and services using a structured approach and essential mechanisms provided by an FSMS based on ISO 22000. The implementation of a risk-based approach, the creation and maintenance of prerequisite programmes, hazard control plans (OPRPs and CCPs), monitoring the effectiveness of the FSMS and food safety, and seeking and seizing opportunities for continuous improvement are all mandated by ISO 22000 as components of the FSMS. The plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle and risk-based thinking are both integrated into the process method used by ISO 22000 at both the organisational and operational levels. A food safety policy and set of food safety objectives must be established by organisations looking to adopt an FSMS based on ISO 22000.

Top management must set the strategy and goals, and a traceability system must be put in place to track the items along the supply chain. Regardless of their size or complexity, all enterprises in the food chain must adhere to the requirements of ISO 22000. Due to the fact that ISO 22000 was created in accordance with the High-Level Structure (HLS), it is compatible with other ISO management system standards. The ability to interface an FSMS with other management systems, such as a QMS based on ISO 9001, an EMS based on ISO 14001, etc., is made possible by this. Additionally, ISO 22000 urges businesses to comply with other standards, specifications, or criteria pertaining to food safety or to certain food industries that might help further the goals of food safety.