Food processing businesses in India navigate a genuinely layered landscape: FSSAI licensing (mandatory legal baseline, now shifting toward risk-based inspection following 2026 reforms), HACCP (faster, more accessible hazard-control certification, often sufficient for domestic operations), and ISO 22000 (fuller food safety management system, essential for export markets and large retailer supply). London Cert Ltd is a UK-registered certification body — we conduct your audit directly and issue your certificate directly, globally recognised.
The Real Certification Ladder for Food Businesses
Most food processing businesses don't need to choose between HACCP and ISO 22000 as competing options — they're natural steps on the same path. HACCP gives you a genuine, faster, more accessible foundation focused on hazard analysis and critical control points. ISO 22000 builds on the same seven HACCP principles, adding full management-system requirements (leadership commitment, documented objectives, continual improvement) that international retailers and export markets specifically expect. Many businesses start with HACCP and formally upgrade to ISO 22000 as they scale toward export.
If you're supplying large retailers, especially in the EU or North America, check whether your buyer specifically expects FSSC 22000 (a GFSI-recognised scheme built on ISO 22000 plus prerequisite programme requirements) rather than base ISO 22000 — this is increasingly common for major supply chains.
FSSAI's 2026 Reforms and What They Mean for You
India's food safety regulatory landscape shifted substantially with FSSAI's 2026 licensing reforms — perpetual (lifetime) licence validity replacing periodic renewals, revised turnover thresholds, and critically, a shift toward risk-based inspections rather than routine ones. This last change matters most for certification decisions: inspectors are now looking for genuine, documented hazard control systems, not just a licence on the wall. HACCP or ISO 22000 certification gives you exactly the kind of structured evidence this new inspection approach expects, even though neither is formally mandated by FSSAI by name.
Who Needs Food Processing Certification?
- Food manufacturers and processors of any scale seeking structured hazard control evidence
- Exporters targeting the EU, US, or other markets requiring internationally recognised food safety certification
- Businesses supplying large retailers who increasingly require FSSC 22000 specifically
- Restaurants, cloud kitchens, and food service businesses wanting a faster, HACCP-based route
- Ingredient suppliers and food packaging manufacturers within the broader food supply chain
Get Certified
Free consultation. Fixed-price quote in 24 hours. We help you choose HACCP or ISO 22000 honestly.
Get Free Quote →Real benefits for food processing businesses
Based on outcomes reported by food businesses we've certified.
Opens Export Markets
ISO 22000 (and FSSC 22000 where required) is often a prerequisite for exporting to the EU, US, and other regulated markets.
Wins Large Retailer Supply Contracts
Major retailers increasingly require certified food safety management from suppliers as a baseline procurement requirement.
Supports FSSAI Risk-Based Inspections
Documented hazard control gives you exactly the evidence FSSAI's 2026 risk-based inspection approach looks for.
Reduces Contamination Risk
Structured hazard analysis and critical control points genuinely reduce the risk of food safety incidents and costly recalls.
HACCP: Fast, Accessible Route
For domestic-focused businesses, HACCP offers genuine certification in 2-3 weeks without ISO 22000's fuller documentation burden.
Builds Consumer & Partner Trust
Independently audited food safety credentials are tangible trust signals for consumers, distributors, and business partners.
What food businesses say about London Cert
Verified reviews from food processing businesses we've certified.
“Our European buyer specifically required FSSC 22000, not just ISO 22000. London Cert guided us through the right pathway and got us certified in time for our first export order.”
“With FSSAI's new risk-based inspection approach, having a genuinely documented HACCP system gave us real confidence during our facility's first inspection under the new rules.”
“We started with HACCP and are now moving to ISO 22000 as we plan our first export orders. London Cert's HACCP work gave us a genuinely useful foundation, not wasted effort.”
Is London Cert's certificate genuine & accepted?
Here's exactly why London Cert certificates are real and globally accepted.
- UK-Registered — We Conduct Your Audit DirectlyLondon Cert Ltd is registered in the United Kingdom. Our own team conducts your full on-site audit — we don't just sell a certificate.
- Certificate Issued Directly by UsOnce you pass your audit, we issue your certificate ourselves — globally recognised, with no third-party accreditation body in the process.
- Food Safety-Specific Audit ExpertiseOur auditors understand HACCP hazard analysis, prerequisite programmes, and food-chain-specific risks — not a generic manufacturing template.
Which one is right for your food business?
An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
| Factor | HACCP | ISO 22000 |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) | ISO management-system standard, incorporating HACCP |
| Scope | Hazard analysis and control methodology | Full management system: leadership, resources, objectives, continual improvement |
| Typical Timeline | 2–3 weeks | 3–5 weeks |
| Best For | Domestic operations, smaller businesses, faster route | Export markets, large retailer supply, international recognition |
| Legal Status | Often a direct legal requirement in many countries | Voluntary certification (though increasingly expected by buyers) |
| FSSC 22000 Path | Not applicable | Can extend to FSSC 22000 for GFSI-recognised retail requirements |
These aren't mutually exclusive — many businesses implement HACCP first and upgrade to ISO 22000 as they scale toward export or larger retail relationships. London Cert can advise honestly on the right starting point for your business during your free consultation.
How to get certified — step by step
A clear, predictable process from first call to certificate in hand.
Free Consultation & Route Selection
We help you choose HACCP or ISO 22000 based on your actual customer base and export plans, and provide a fixed quote within 24 hours.
HACCP Plan / FSMS Documentation
We help you build your hazard analysis, prerequisite programmes, and food safety management documentation.
On-Site Audit
Our auditors conduct document review and an on-site facility/production audit, including hazard analysis and traceability review.
Certificate Issued Directly
We issue your certificate directly, globally recognised. Valid for 3 years with periodic surveillance.
Food Processing Certification Cost — Transparent Pricing
Fixed-price, all-inclusive packages. No hidden fees.
Cost depends on facility size, product range, and whether you choose HACCP or ISO 22000. Contact us for a personalised, binding quote within 24 hours.
HACCP
- HACCP plan development
- On-site audit
- Certificate issued directly
ISO 22000
Popular- Full HACCP + FSMS documentation
- Export-market alignment
- FSSC 22000 pathway guidance
- Certificate issued directly
ISO 22000 + ISO 9001 Bundle
- Combined integrated audit
- Cost saving vs standalone
- 2 certificates, 1 process
Food Processing Certification — Every question answered
The most-asked questions — straight, accurate answers.
It depends on your goals. HACCP is faster, more accessible, and often sufficient for domestic operations and smaller businesses. ISO 22000 is a fuller management-system standard needed for export markets and large retailer supply relationships, and can incorporate FSSC 22000 for GFSI-recognised international retail requirements. Many food businesses start with HACCP and upgrade to ISO 22000 as they scale toward export.
Still have questions?
Our food safety certification experts are available Mon–Sat, 9AM–7PM IST. Free consultation.
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