A supplier’s food certifications are not just a bureaucratic requirement to be checked off during the qualification phase.
They are documented proof that production processes, quality controls, and risk management meet standards verified by an independent third party.
For those purchasing ingredients for their own production, this distinction is fundamental.
An ISO 9001 certified supplier operating with an HACCP system and FSSC 22000 does not just offer an ingredient: they offer a system of guarantees that integrates directly into your production chain and your ability to respond to internal audits, distribution requests, and inspections by competent authorities.
HACCP: a risk analysis system, not just a certificate
HACCP — Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points — is the internationally recognized method for identifying and controlling risks (e.g., biological, chemical, and physical) throughout the food supply chain.
It is not a certification issued by a third party: it is a mandatory hygiene and sanitation self-control system for food business operators in the European Union, based on Regulation (EC) 852/2004.
The value of HACCP for the buyer lies in the fact that the supplier has identified the critical points of their process, defined control limits, established monitoring procedures, and documented corrective actions.
This means that the risk of contamination is managed systematically, not left to spot checks or informal good practices.
At Bayo, the HACCP system is integrated within the FSSC 22000 certification, which extends and formalizes its principles with additional requirements for food fraud, food defense, and the management of prerequisite programs.
ISO 9001: process quality, batch after batch
Certification according to the ISO 9001:2015 standard does not concern food safety, but rather the quality of the supplier’s management system.
For the ingredient buyer, ISO 9001 certification answers a concrete question: does the supplier produce with the same quality for every batch, or does variability depend on the context, the people present, or the available raw materials?
ISO 9001 requires processes to be defined, documented, and monitored through measurable KPIs, with continuous improvement actions in response to detected deviations.
This translates into traceability from order to delivery, verifiable technical specifications, updated technical data sheets, and structured management of non-conformities.
Bayo operates with an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system, with a valid certificate that can be downloaded from the certifications page.
FSSC 22000: the integrated standard for food safety
FSSC 22000 is the food safety certification scheme most widely recognized internationally by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
It is based on the ISO 22000 standard, with the addition of sector-specific prerequisite programs, and is accepted as a reference standard by major European retailers and food industries. For the buyer, having a supplier with FSSC 22000 simplifies qualification, reduces the number of audits to manage, and provides a robust documentary basis for their own internal verifications.
The scheme covers the analysis and management of risks related to food fraud (adulteration and fraudulent substitution of raw materials), food defense (protection from intentional contamination), and traceability throughout the supply chain.
It also includes the management of prerequisite programs (PRPs) regarding hygiene, maintenance, pest control, water and air quality, and allergen management.
Bayo is certified FSSC 22000 v6, with a certificate expiring in March 2028, verifiable on the Bayo certifications page.
How the three systems integrate
ISO 9001, HACCP, and FSSC 22000 are not separate or overlapping systems: they work at different levels and complement each other.
ISO 9001 ensures that the quality management system is structured, measurable, and continuously improving. It covers the entire cycle from order to delivery.
HACCP identifies and controls specific risks in the food production process. It is the operational heart of hygiene and sanitation control.
FSSC 22000 integrates HACCP and ISO 22000 with additional requirements for food fraud, food defense, and prerequisite programs, bringing the system to a standard verified by a GFSI-accredited third party.
The result is an integrated management system that covers quality, safety, and risk in a coordinated manner, avoiding the gaps that arise when these three areas are managed separately.
What to specifically request from a certified supplier
Having food certification is a necessary but not sufficient condition. During the supplier qualification and management phase, there are specific elements to request and verify.
A valid certificate. Not just the statement “we are certified,” but the document issued by the certification body with an expiration date and certified scope. The certificate must be up-to-date and consistent with the supplier’s actual activities.
Technical data sheets per SKU. A system certification does not replace product documentation. Each ingredient must have a technical data sheet with specifications, acceptability limits, and analytical data per batch.
Traceability declaration. The supplier must be able to reconstruct the origin of raw materials for every batch supplied. This capability is an integral part of FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001, but it must be verified in practice.
Audit availability. A truly certified and audit-ready supplier does not fear technical visits. The possibility of organizing audits at the production site is an indicator of the system’s robustness.
Documentation and audit-readiness: the operational value
For those purchasing ingredients in a demanding regulatory context, food certification has a precise operational value: it reduces the internal documentation burden and simplifies the response to audits.
A supplier with an integrated and certified management system provides documentation ready for your quality checks: updated technical data sheets, certificates of analysis or declarations of conformity per batch, and allergen declarations.
This documentation is not an extra: it is part of the service. And its quality and readiness are reliable indicators of how well the supplier truly manages their processes, beyond formal certifications.
Bayo maintains a structured documentation system for every SKU, with complete traceability from raw material to finished product and procedures available for audits and technical visits. The details of the integrated system are described in the about us section.
Bayo food certifications
Bayo is certified ISO 9001:2015 for its quality management system and FSSC 22000 v6 for food safety. The certificates are issued by an accredited certification body, are currently valid, and can be downloaded directly from the certifications page.
Upon request, Kosher and Halal certifications are available, issued by authorized bodies, for the SKUs that require them.
Every ingredient is accompanied by a technical data sheet and a declaration of conformity per batch. Documentation is available upon request for every SKU, with defined response times.
The EcoVadis Silver recognition completes the picture: top 15% globally in the first assessment, with a performance covering environment, ethics, labor, and sustainable supply chain.
To request documentation or organize a technical visit, the point of contact is the Bayo quality team, reachable at assicurazionequalita@bayo.it.
FAQs
That processes are verified by a third party: consistent quality between batches, documented risk management, and traceability from raw material to finished product.
ISO 9001 certifies the quality of the management system. FSSC 22000 certifies food safety, integrating HACCP, food fraud, and food defense. The two standards complement each other.
Yes, the HACCP system is mandatory by law in the EU (Reg. EC 852/2004). It is not a third-party certification, but a hygiene and sanitation self-control system to prevent food contamination risks.
Yes, FSSC 22000 v6 and ISO 9001:2015, both currently valid and downloadable from the certifications page. Kosher and Halal certifications are also available upon request.
Technical data sheet, including allergen declaration and declaration of conformity per batch.