ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System Certification in Dubai & UAE

The UAE imports most of its food and serves millions of residents and visitors every day, so food safety is a licence-to-operate issue as well as a commercial one. ISO 22000:2018 gives food businesses an internationally recognised way to control hazards from farm to fork. BRSM Global helps food manufacturers, caterers, importers, distributors and packaging suppliers in Dubai and across the UAE build and certify a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) that is practical, documented and ready for audit.

What is ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification?

ISO 22000:2018 is the international standard for food safety management systems. It applies to any organisation in the food chain, including feed producers, farmers, manufacturers, transport and storage operators, retailers, restaurants and catering companies, and to suppliers of equipment, packaging, cleaning agents and ingredients. It combines the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), prerequisite programmes and a management system structure.

The standard follows the same high-level structure as ISO 9001 and uses two linked cycles: the management system Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and the operational cycle of HACCP principles. It requires interactive communication along the food chain, so that hazards are controlled from suppliers to customers. ISO 22000 is a stand-alone standard and is also the base of the FSSC 22000 scheme, which adds sector-specific prerequisite programmes and additional requirements for companies serving retailers that require a GFSI-benchmarked scheme.

Benefits of ISO 22000 Certification for UAE Businesses

Safer food and fewer recalls

Hazards are identified and controlled through a documented analysis, lowering the risk of contamination, complaints, product withdrawals and brand damage.

Access to retail, hospitality and export customers

Supermarkets, hotels, airlines catering and exporters commonly ask suppliers for a certified FSMS before onboarding.

Regulatory readiness

A structured system, with traceability and monitoring records, supports inspections by food control authorities in Dubai and other emirates.

Consistent operations

Clear responsibilities, training and monitoring reduce variability between shifts and sites.

Alignment with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

Shared structure allows integrated documentation, audits and management review. See ISO 9001 QMS certification.

ISO 22000 Requirements

To obtain ISO 22000:2018 certification, your FSMS must meet the requirements of clauses 4 to 10 and be applied to your products and processes:

Context and scope (clause 4): the food chain role of your organisation, relevant regulatory requirements and the scope of products and sites.
Leadership (clause 5): a food safety policy, defined responsibilities and a food safety team leader.
Planning (clause 6): risks and opportunities, measurable food safety objectives and change planning.
Support (clause 7): competent people, infrastructure, internal and external communication and documented information.
Operation (clause 8): prerequisite programmes, traceability, emergency preparedness, hazard analysis, validation of control measures, the HACCP plan with critical control points and operational prerequisite programmes, and control of nonconforming products.
Performance evaluation (clause 9): monitoring, analysis, internal audit and management review.
Improvement (clause 10): nonconformity, corrective action and continual updating of the FSMS.

ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification Process: How BRSM Global Gets You Certified

Our approach follows the four-stage process that BRSM Global applies to every management system project: guidance, implementation, auditing and post-certification. For ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification, that translates into the following eight practical steps.

Step 1: Free consultation and scope definition

We start with a conversation about your business, sites, activities and customers. We confirm whether ISO 22000 fits your goals, define the scope of certification and agree a realistic timeline.

Step 2: Gap analysis

Our consultants compare your current practices, documents and records with the requirements of ISO 22000:2018. You receive a clear gap report with priorities, so effort goes where it matters.

Step 3: Planning and fixed quote

Based on the gap analysis we prepare a project plan with responsibilities and milestones and a fixed written quote, so you know the investment before work begins.

Step 4: Documentation and implementation

We help you develop the policies, procedures, registers and records the standard requires, in plain language and sized to your organisation, and we help your team put them into daily practice. This is the 'Guidance' and 'Implementation' stage of our process.

Step 5: Training and awareness

Management and staff are trained on their responsibilities under ISO 22000. Where relevant we also train internal auditors, who will later audit your system.

Step 6: Internal audit and management review

Once the system has been operating, we help you run an internal audit and a management review. These are mandatory and give you the chance to fix issues before the external audit.

Step 7: Independent certification audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2)

The certification audit is carried out by an independent certification body, never by your consultant. Stage 1 reviews documentation and readiness. Stage 2 verifies implementation on site through interviews, observation and records. We prepare your team and support you during the audit; this is the 'Auditing' stage of our process.

Step 8: Certificate issue and post-certification support

After any nonconformities are closed, the certificate is issued, normally for three years with annual surveillance audits. We stay with you after certification, advising on changes, standard updates and surveillance audit preparation, which is our 'Post-certification' stage. Our article on leading ISO transitions with people at the centre explains why this support matters.

Documents Required for ISO 22000

Your FSMS documented information will usually include the following items:

Food safety policy, objectives and FSMS scope
Product descriptions and intended use, process flow diagrams
Hazard analysis and HACCP plan with CCP and OPRP records
Prerequisite programmes: cleaning and sanitation, pest control, maintenance, personal hygiene, allergen control, waste management
Traceability and recall or withdrawal procedure, with mock recall records
Supplier approval and incoming inspection records
Calibration and monitoring records for temperature and other critical parameters
Training and competence records for food handlers
Internal audit reports and management review minutes
Corrective action and complaint records

How Long Does ISO 22000 Certification Take?

Most small and medium food businesses in the UAE can achieve ISO 22000 certification in about 8 to 14 weeks, depending on the maturity of existing hygiene practices and the complexity of the processes. Larger manufacturers with multiple product lines often need 4 to 6 months. The timeline is driven by the hazard analysis work, installation of missing prerequisite controls, staff training and accumulation of monitoring records. Certification is a two-stage audit, and the certificate is valid for three years with annual surveillance audits.

Who Needs ISO 22000 Certification?

This certification is relevant to a wide range of organisations, including:

Food and beverage manufacturers and packers
Central kitchens, catering and airline or hospital catering companies
Importers, cold-storage and food distribution businesses
Packaging, ingredient and food-contact material suppliers
Restaurants and hotel food operations supplying multiple outlets

ISO 22000 in Dubai and the UAE

Dubai's food sector combines local production, a very large import trade and a world-class hospitality industry. Municipal food safety rules are strict, and buyers expect demonstrable control. Our Business Bay team understands the daily realities of food operations in the UAE climate, from cold chain control to halal supply requirements, and we tailor the FSMS to your actual layout, menu and equipment. For hospitality clients, see our hospitality sector page.

Why Choose BRSM Global in Dubai & UAE?

Choosing the right partner is as important as choosing the right standard. BRSM Global is an international inspection, training and certification group with a one-stop approach to ISO and related certifications, and our Dubai team is close to your business.

Local presence in Dubai and the UAE

Our UAE office is at Executive Towers, Tower 1, Office 1102, Business Bay, Dubai. We meet you on site, understand local practice and respond quickly. We also have offices in Riyadh (Al Olaya, Al Faisaliah Tower) and Muscat (Al Khuwair), which helps if your organisation operates across the Gulf.

Proven experience

BRSM Global has completed more than 5,000 projects for over 2,500 clients in more than 10 countries, working with 20+ associations. Our consultants combine hands-on industry experience with deep knowledge of the standards.

Practical systems, not paperwork

We design systems that fit your size and your sector, so your team actually uses them. Our experience across the Food sector and our other industry sectors means we speak your language from the first meeting.

Complete one-stop service

From gap analysis and documentation to training, internal audit, certification audit support and ongoing advice, one team supports you at every stage. You can read more about our company on the About Us page or browse practical insights on our blog.

Transparent and independent

We give you a fixed written quote after the gap analysis, explain what is included, and keep consultancy separate from the independent certification audit so that your certificate retains its credibility. Before you commit to any certification body, we recommend you verify its accreditation status for your scope.

Frequently Asked Questions About ISO 22000

What is the difference between ISO 22000 and HACCP?

HACCP is a hazard analysis method and set of principles. ISO 22000 is a full management system standard that includes HACCP, prerequisite programmes, leadership, communication and continual improvement, and can be certified.

How much does ISO 22000 certification cost in Dubai?

Cost depends on staff numbers, sites, number of product lines and process complexity. It has two parts: implementation support and the certification audit fee. We provide a fixed quote after a gap analysis.

Is ISO 22000 the same as FSSC 22000?

No. FSSC 22000 uses ISO 22000 plus sector prerequisite programme standards and additional requirements, and is recognised by GFSI. Some retailers specifically require FSSC 22000.

Can restaurants and caterers get ISO 22000?

Yes. The standard applies to any organisation in the food chain, including catering and food service.

How long is an ISO 22000 certificate valid?

Three years, with annual surveillance audits and recertification at the end of the cycle.

Do we need HACCP training before ISO 22000?

Your food safety team must be competent in hazard analysis. We provide HACCP and ISO 22000 awareness training as part of implementation.

Related Services

Many organisations combine standards in one integrated management system. You may also be interested in:

Get Your ISO 22000 Certification with BRSM Global

Ready to start your ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification journey in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE? Tell us about your business and we will respond with a gap analysis plan and a fixed quote.