The pursuit of secure and high-quality food products is a universal mandate in the modern supply chain. This article explores the significance of the ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System (FSMS) as a comprehensive framework for ensuring consumer protection. The implementation of this standard, building upon foundational concepts like HACCP and Codex Alimentarius guidelines, is analyzed through the lens of modern agricultural and processing practices. The discussion is supported by the insights and extensive practical experience of Sofia Anatoliivna Nesterenko, a distinguished young expert and engineer-technologist specializing in grain quality and safety.
The Universal Imperative for Safe Food
The demand for safe food transcends business size, making robust food safety standards a fundamental requirement for all companies, from small-scale producers to major international terminals. Food safety is not a market privilege but a core responsibility, directly impacting public health and consumer trust. The foundation of this trust rests on food hygiene—the necessary conditions and measures applied across all stages of the food chain to guarantee product safety and suitability.
The effectiveness of an enterprise’s food hygiene practices directly determines its competitiveness, corporate safety culture, and the overall quality of its products and services. Recognizing this universal need, highly qualified specialists are essential to guide organizations through complex regulatory and quality management landscapes.
Foundations of Modern Food Safety: Codex and HACCP
The contemporary principles of food hygiene trace their lineage back to the recommendations established by the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. Formulated to control foodborne illnesses, the Codex Alimentarius provides comprehensive standards for all primary types of food products—raw, semi-processed, and processed. It outlines provisions regarding food hygiene, additives, contaminant residues, labeling, and analytical methods.
Central to the Codex recommendations is the endorsement of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. HACCP is a systematic approach to identifying and managing potential food safety hazards across the entire production process, from raw material procurement to final consumer use. It focuses on preemptive control and critical monitoring.
Sofia Anatoliivna Nesterenko, an engineer-technologist with over a decade of hands-on experience, has been at the forefront of implementing these essential preventative measures. Having served as the Head of the Laboratory (VTL) at various agricultural facilities, including a major port terminal, she possesses deep knowledge of quality control in high-volume grain handling environments. Her work specifically included the implementation of HACCP systems on various agro-complexes, demonstrating a practical commitment to integrating fundamental safety principles into large-scale commercial operations.
ISO 22000:2018 – A Holistic Management Approach
The ISO 22000:2018 standard provides a flexible, globally recognized framework for a comprehensive Food Safety Management System (FSMS). It integrates the fundamental HACCP principles with the managerial structure of an ISO standard, enabling organizations to plan, implement, maintain, and continually update their FSMS while ensuring the provision of safe products and services.
The implementation of an effective FSMS based on ISO 22000:2018 offers significant competitive and operational advantages:
- Proactive Hazard Prevention: The system emphasizes preventing hazards rather than merely reacting to incidents after they occur, thereby minimizing risk.
- Enhanced Employee Competence: By standardizing processes and incorporating training, the system reduces human error. Ms. Nesterenko, who actively provides online consultations and personnel training, champions this focus on staff preparedness and education.
- Global Supply Chain Recognition: Compliance facilitates recognition among companies in the worldwide food supply chain, opening new markets and enhancing export opportunities.
- Competitive Advantage and Trust: Adherence to the standard improves consumer confidence in products, a critical factor for tender applications and market success.
- Regulatory Compliance: It helps demonstrate conformity with statutory, regulatory, and customer requirements.
As an acknowledged expert in grain quality and processing, and a consultant specializing in food safety, Ms. Nesterenko’s expertise covers the full spectrum of ISO 22000 requirements. Her scientific endeavors are further evidenced by her membership in the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Public Organization “Academy of Technical Sciences of Ukraine,” and the Public Union “HACCP Integration Association.”
Scientific Contribution and Future Outlook
Ms. Nesterenko’s commitment to advancing the field is not limited to practical consultation; it extends into scientific research. As an author of numerous scientific articles, international publications, and the book “Food Safety, New Technologies, Control Methods,” she synthesizes her practical experience with academic rigor. This contribution establishes her as a leading, young authority in the technological control and safety assurance of processed foodstuffs.
The ability to develop an effective FSMS, especially on the basis of pre-existing sanitary and hygiene programs, is crucial for companies navigating the complex food landscape. ISO 22000:2018 provides the roadmap, and experts like Sofia Anatoliivna Nesterenko provide the essential practical guidance and scientific grounding required to achieve certification, self-declaration, and—most importantly—unwavering food safety. Her work underscores the importance of continuous professional development and scientific involvement in securing the global food future.
