Management review of the food-safety system
Plain-language summary
Leadership periodically reviews the whole FSMS using real data, and decides on changes, resources and improvements.
What the clause is really asking
This is where leadership closes the loop. At planned intervals, top management reviews defined inputs - audit results, verification data, performance against objectives, complaints, changes, emergencies, resource needs - and makes decisions on improvement, resourcing and any changes to the system. It keeps the system suitable, adequate and effective over time.
What auditors look for
Auditors check the review actually happened with the right people, covered all the required inputs, and produced decisions and actions - not just a presentation. They will trace a review decision through to implementation, and check resource and improvement outputs are real.
Typical evidence
Management review schedule and minutes; evidence all required inputs were covered; documented decisions and actions; follow-up on previous actions
How to comply — recommendations
Hold the review with senior people present and work through every required input using actual data, not a slideshow of green lights. Produce clear decisions with owners and dates - on resources, improvements and system changes - and track them to completion. Review often enough to catch issues, not just once a year.
Common nonconformities
Required inputs not all covered; no decisions or actions recorded; previous actions not followed up; top management absent
Related clauses
ISO 22000 9.1, 9.2, 10.2; ISO 9001 9.3; FSSC 22000 2.5.8 (culture plan is a review input), 2.5.9 (quality results are a review input)
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