In its inaugural year, PAKA directed its attention towards securing essential licenses, permits, and certifications in both Albania and Canada. By the autumn of 2023, Paka proudly attained ISO 20000 certification. Delve into the factors that make this modest label on your bottle a representation of our corporate values, guaranteeing the quality of our olive oil in the global market.
What is ISO the 22000 certification?
ISO 22000 is the only international voluntary standard for food safety management. It enables demonstrating the ability to identify and control hazards related to food safety, as well as consistently provide finished and safe products. By adhering to ISO 22000 principles, organizations can strengthen their commitment to food safety and showcase compliance with international standards in this crucial domain.
ISO 22000 is an international standard that originates from ISO, the International Organization for Standardization.
It is the result of collaborative and collective work from all stakeholders worldwide. 35 countries participated in its latest update, finalized in June 2018. Nearly 140 countries are involved in the ISO Technical Committee on Food Safety, with over 840 documents already published and regularly updated.
The ISO 22000 standard is applicable to all participants, both direct and indirect, across the food chain, irrespective of their scale or international reach. This encompasses producers of animal and agricultural products, manufacturers, processors, service providers, operators, and subcontractors engaged in the transportation, storage, and distribution processes. The standard is also relevant to retail stores, food service establishments, and entities closely associated with the industry, such as equipment manufacturers, packaging material producers, cleaning product manufacturers, and suppliers of additives and ingredients.
Why is the ISO 22000 certification important?
Establishing a food safety management system requires the allocation of resources to ensure the safety of products and services. It serves as an approved tool for both prevention and continuous improvement. The PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) is implemented at two levels: the first pertains to the management system, and the second to HACCP principles. Similar to any globally recognized standard, ISO 22000 facilitates communication and streamlines processes: by adopting it, you employ a method that is universally acknowledged and shared. ISO 22000 instills confidence among your suppliers, customers, and stakeholders in the food chain. It enhances communication effectiveness by identifying potential hazards and specifying measures to control them as they arise. Nevertheless, ISO 22000 certification does not confirm the safety or suitability for use of a product.
At Paka, we firmly believe that having multiple small farmers rather than a few large ones is crucial for what is known as small-scale agriculture and for the preservation of our environment.
However, to ensure incomes for everyone, we must find ways to consolidate the small artisanal productions of each farmer while respecting industry standards. That's why we are working on establishing a traceability system, essential for improving the production, certification, and marketing of Albanian olive oil, as well as for maintaining the fragmentation of property ownership in olive groves and improving living conditions in rural Albania. Engaging in management training has been very enriching, enabling us to better structure our internal activities, particularly in terms of analysis and traceability.
Obtaining this certification also has financial implications for Paka, as competitive pricing and certifications, particularly organic ones, are significant motivators for buyers in the processing sector.
Furthermore, when consumers buy olive oil, the various quality certifications are crucial for 71% of respondents, indicating a preference for certified products.
Does ISO 22000 ensure compliance with regulations?
In the European Union, regulations concerning the hygiene of both human and animal food are consolidated within the Hygiene Package. This framework mandates nearly all entities in the food chain to implement a comprehensive Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan. This plan encompasses adherence to good hygiene practices, thorough hazard analysis, and the identification of critical control points. It also necessitates product identification for traceability and the establishment of procedures for withdrawing and recalling non-compliant products—requirements that lie at the heart of ISO 22000
ISO 22000 guides organizations to develop a structured understanding of regulatory requirements in food safety management
During hazard analysis, organizations determine a strategy for hazard control by integrating prerequisite programs (PRP), operational PRP (oPRP), and critical control points (CCP). Additionally, it incorporates the 12 steps and 7 principles outlined in the Codex Alimentarius application. Implementing an ISO 22000-based approach provides organizations with a more targeted, coherent, and integrated food safety management system than what is typically mandated by regulations. So, why miss out on this opportunity?
Paka aims to go beyond ISO 2000 certification and is currently in discussions with various Albanian stakeholders to promote organic certification among as many of its producers/suppliers as possible. With the goal of supporting organic production, Paka is working to develop an affordable certification system for small-scale producers while also contributing to the improvement of olive processing infrastructure and equipment, with a specific focus on those necessary for organic certification.
The following certifications are also planned for the year 2024:
ISO9001
HALAL
Gamme Bio
Global G.A.P. et/ou Fairtrade
Women-Owned Business