ISO 22000 Food Safety Lead Auditor - Training & Certification

Food Safety Management System Training Course

The growing importance of food safety within global supply chains has increased the demand for organizations to implement and maintain effective Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) based on internationally recognized standards such as ISO 22000.

Organizations that achieve ISO 22000 certification demonstrate their commitment to consumer safety, regulatory compliance, operational integrity, and continual improvement. As a result, qualified FSMS auditors play a critical role in evaluating compliance, identifying risks, and supporting food safety assurance initiatives.

The Certified ISO 22000 Lead Auditor Training Course enables participants to develop the knowledge and practical auditing skills required to perform and lead Food Safety Management System audits in accordance with ISO 22000, ISO 19011, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements.

This comprehensive training course strengthens participants’ ability to:

• plan and conduct FSMS audits
• assess organizational compliance
• manage audit teams
• identify nonconformities
• evaluate food safety controls
• support continual improvement processes

Through practical exercises, interactive sessions, case studies, and discussions, participants gain hands-on experience applying recognized audit principles, procedures, and food safety auditing techniques.

After successfully completing the training course and certification exam, participants may apply for the “PECB Certified ISO 22000 Lead Auditor” credential. This internationally recognized certification validates professional competencies related to auditing organizations against ISO 22000 requirements and auditing best practices.

Why Should You Attend?

Food safety audits are essential for organizations seeking to demonstrate compliance, improve operational controls, and maintain consumer trust across food production and supply chain operations.

This training course helps participants develop the expertise required to effectively assess Food Safety Management Systems and support organizations in maintaining ISO 22000 conformity.

By attending this training course, participants will learn how to:

• Understand the operation of a Food Safety Management System based on ISO 22000
• Understand the relationship between ISO 22000 and other regulatory frameworks
• Plan, conduct, and manage FSMS audits
• Evaluate organizational compliance and operational controls
• Identify nonconformities and recommend corrective actions
• Apply auditing principles in accordance with ISO 19011
• Lead audit teams and manage audit activities effectively

Participants also gain practical auditing experience through role-playing exercises, discussions, and audit simulations designed to reflect real-world food safety auditing environments.

Who Should Attend?

This training course is intended for:

• Auditors interested in conducting and leading FSMS audits
• Managers or consultants involved in food safety management
• Individuals responsible for maintaining FSMS conformity
• Technical experts preparing for food safety audits
• Food safety consultants and advisors
• Professionals seeking expertise in ISO 22000 auditing practices

Learning Objectives

This training course enables participants to understand:

• The operation of a Food Safety Management System based on ISO 22000
• The relationship between ISO 22000 and other standards and regulations
• ISO 22000 requirements within the context of an FSMS audit
• Audit principles, methodologies, and auditing techniques
• The auditor’s role in planning, conducting, and following up on audits
• How to manage and lead an effective audit team

Educational Approach

This participant-centered training course combines theoretical concepts with practical audit application activities.

Participants will benefit from:

• Auditing theories and best practices related to FSMS audits
• Practical exercises based on realistic case studies
• Role-playing activities and collaborative discussions
• Interactive lecture sessions
• Exercises designed to simulate the certification exam experience
• Guidance on international auditing standards and ISO 22000 compliance

Prerequisites

Participants should have:

• A fundamental understanding of food safety concepts
• Comprehensive knowledge of FSMS audit principles

Course Agenda

Day 1: Introduction to the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) & ISO 22000

• FSMS concepts and principles
• ISO 22000 framework and requirements
• Food safety management fundamentals

Day 2: Audit Principles & Preparation for an Audit

• Audit concepts and methodologies
• Audit planning and initiation
• Audit documentation review

Day 3: On-Site Audit Activities

• Conducting on-site audits
• Collecting and evaluating audit evidence
• Communication and audit team management

Day 4: Closing of the Audit

• Audit conclusions and reporting
• Nonconformity management
• Corrective actions and follow-up activities

Day 5: Certification Exam

• Final review
• Certification examination

Examination

The PECB Certified ISO 22000 Lead Auditor exam fully complies with the requirements of the PECB Examination and Certification Program (ECP).

The exam covers the following competency domains:

• Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of a food safety management system
• Domain 2: Food safety management system (FSMS) requirements
• Domain 3: Fundamental audit concepts and principles
• Domain 4: Preparing for an ISO 22000 audit
• Domain 5: Conducting an ISO 22000 audit
• Domain 6: Closing an ISO 22000 audit
• Domain 7: Managing an ISO 22000 audit program

Certification

After successfully completing the exam, participants may apply for one of the certification credentials outlined in the certification table provided with the course materials.

The PECB ISO 22000 Auditor certification scheme includes requirements related to professional auditing experience, audit activities, and successful completion of the certification examination.

To be considered valid, audit activities should follow recognized audit best practices and include:

• Planning audits
• Managing audit programs
• Drafting audit reports
• Drafting nonconformity reports
• Conducting documented information reviews
• Carrying out on-site audit activities
• Following up on nonconformities
• Leading audit teams

For additional information regarding ISO 22000 certifications and the PECB certification process, please refer to the Certification Rules and Policies documentation.

General Information

• Certification and examination fees are included in the course price
• Participants receive more than 450 pages of training materials and practical examples
• Participants who attend the course receive an attestation of completion worth 31 CPD credits
• Candidates who fail the exam may retake it once free of charge within 12 months of the initial exam date

Training Formats

Self-Study

Self-paced training that includes official course materials, practical examples, exercises, quizzes, and standard documentation without instructor-led video presentations.