Certifications
When evaluating an Indian spice or dehydrated vegetable supplier, you will almost always see logos for ISO 22000, HACCP, and FSSAI on their website or catalogue. But what do these actually guarantee — and what do they not cover? Here is a plain-language breakdown for procurement and quality managers.
ISO 22000 is a globally recognised food safety management system (FSMS) standard published by the International Organisation for Standardisation. It requires facilities to identify food safety hazards throughout the supply chain, implement controls at critical points, maintain documented procedures, conduct internal audits, and undergo third-party certification audits every three years.
✓ What it guarantees: The facility has a documented food safety system, conducts regular hazard analysis, trains staff on food safety procedures, and is audited by an accredited certification body (e.g., SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV).
✗ What it does not guarantee: Specific pesticide residue levels, exact microbial counts per lot, or compliance with your specific market's import regulations (EU, Japan, US). These require separate lot-wise testing.
HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety that identifies physical, chemical, and biological hazards in the production process and establishes Critical Control Points (CCPs) — specific steps where controls are applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce those hazards to acceptable levels.
✓ What it guarantees: The production process has mapped hazard points (e.g., metal contamination, excess moisture, pesticide carryover) and has defined corrective actions. It is often incorporated within ISO 22000.
✗ What it does not guarantee: Product-level testing results. HACCP is a process standard, not a product certification — it ensures the process is controlled, not that every batch was tested.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the statutory body that regulates food manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale in India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. All food businesses in India must hold a valid FSSAI licence. Exporters must also register with APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).
✓ What it guarantees: The facility is legally authorised to manufacture food products in India, meets Indian domestic food safety standards, and is subject to regulatory inspection.
✗ What it does not guarantee: Compliance with your importing country's stricter standards. EU MRLs for pesticides, for example, are often more stringent than FSSAI limits.
Key insight for importers: Certifications show the system is in place. Lot-wise COAs (Certificate of Analysis) from NABL-accredited labs show what is actually in the product you are buying. Always request both.
Shree Swastika Agrorich holds current ISO 22000, FSSAI, and HACCP certifications, is APEDA registered, and provides NABL-accredited lab test reports with every shipment. We are happy to share certificate copies and verification details with prospective buyers.
We'll share our current ISO 22000 certificate, FSSAI licence, and a sample COA — within the hour.
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