How Do You Identify and Control Outsourced Processes in FSSC 22000?

Outsourcing is a common business practice in the food industry—whether it’s pest control, cleaning, logistics, or even partial manufacturing.
But under FSSC 22000, you remain fully responsible for any food safety risk associated with outsourced processes.

So, how do you ensure these third-party services don’t become weak points in your Food Safety Management System (FSMS)?
Let’s break it down into practical steps.

🔍 What Are Outsourced Processes?

• Activities performed by an external party but still impact your product’s food safety

• Common examples:

  • Pest control

  • Equipment calibration

  • Lab testing (microbiology, shelf life)

  • Product repacking or secondary processing

  • Warehousing and transport

  • Cleaning or sanitation services

• These activities fall under your FSMS scope and must be identified, evaluated, and controlled

✅ How to Identify Outsourced Processes in Your FSMS

1. Review Your HACCP Flow Diagram

• Identify steps not performed internally

• Ask: “Does this external activity affect product safety, legality, or quality?”

2. Consult Your Purchasing or Procurement Records

• Review:

  • Service agreements

  • Contracted technical services

  • Outsourced production steps

3. Perform a Risk Assessment

• Classify each outsourced process based on:

  • Level of food safety risk

  • Proximity to finished product

  • Potential for cross-contamination or loss of traceability

🔐 FSSC 22000 Requirements for Outsourced Process Control

1. Clause 7.1.6 of ISO 22000

• Organizations must ensure that outsourced processes:

  • Conform to FSMS requirements

  • Are evaluated and monitored

  • Include food safety hazards in your risk analysis

2. FSSC 22000 Additional Requirements: Management of Services

• Mandatory to:

  • Maintain documented agreements

  • Approve and monitor all service providers

  • Ensure services meet applicable legal, regulatory, and customer requirements

🛠 How to Control Outsourced Processes in Practice

Pre-Approval Stage

• Conduct supplier/service provider evaluation

• Verify certifications (e.g. ISO 9001, HACCP, FSSC 22000)

• Perform on-site audits or request audit reports

• Get technical specs, test methods, and hygiene procedures

Contracts and Agreements

• Include clear terms on:

  • Food safety responsibilities

  • Traceability and recordkeeping

  • Incident reporting and recall participation

  • Allowing audits and inspections by your company or third parties

Ongoing Monitoring

• Maintain performance KPIs (e.g. complaint rate, delivery issues)

• Periodic audits or service reviews

• Request updated documentation annually (licenses, test reports, training records)

• Non-conformance records and CAPA follow-ups

📄 Documentation You Should Keep

• Approved outsourced service provider list

• Risk assessments for each outsourced process

• Supplier audit reports or questionnaires

• Contracts or service agreements

• Records of monitoring, communication, and performance review

• Documented procedures (SOPs) for outsourcing controls

❗ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Assuming “external” means “not your problem”

• ❌ No written contract outlining food safety responsibilities

• ❌ Failing to audit critical outsourced service providers

• ❌ No clear risk assessment for subcontracted activities

• ❌ Not including outsourced processes in internal or certification audits

🧠 Pro Tip: Include Outsourced Processes in Your Internal Audit Plan

• Make sure internal audits review:

  • Effectiveness of service provider controls

  • Contract compliance

  • Whether food safety procedures are actually followed externally

• Keep audit findings and action plans for each outsourced partner

🏁 Final Thoughts

FSSC 22000 holds your business accountable—even for tasks done by outsiders.
Identifying and controlling outsourced processes isn’t optional—it’s required.
By managing external partners like internal departments, you safeguard your food safety system and protect your certification.

Need help setting up an outsourced process control system or auditing your suppliers?
At CAYS Scientific, we help Malaysian food manufacturers build strong, audit-ready control systems that comply with FSSC 22000. Contact us today for expert support in risk assessment, documentation, and training.