If you’re buying ingredients for a food or beverage business in the U.S., food safety certification is not optional — it’s baseline due diligence. Here’s what FSSC 22000 actually means and why it matters when evaluating a matcha supplier.
What FSSC 22000 is
FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is an internationally recognized food safety management standard. It’s recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which means major retailers and food manufacturers worldwide accept it as a baseline supplier requirement.
For wholesale buyers, GFSI recognition is the practical signal: a certificate from a GFSI-benchmarked scheme reduces the number of duplicate audits your quality team must run when onboarding a new ingredient supplier.
What it requires
A facility certified to FSSC 22000 has documented hazard analysis (HACCP), allergen controls, sanitation programs, traceability systems, and regular third-party audits. It’s not a one-time certification — it requires annual surveillance audits and full recertification every three years.
That ongoing audit cycle matters. A valid certificate on file today can expire without renewal. Always check the expiration date and scope before you place a large order or submit a supplier to a retailer audit.
Why it matters for matcha specifically
Matcha is a dry powder. Contamination risks — heavy metals from soil, microbial contamination from processing, pesticide residues — are real. A certified facility has documented controls for all of these, not just policies on paper.
Pair certification with lot-level testing. FSSC 22000 governs how a facility manages hazards; a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirms the specific batch you receive meets spec. Both belong in your compliance file. See our guide on evaluating a wholesale matcha supplier for what to request on COAs.
FSSC 22000 vs BRCGS — what’s the difference?
Both are GFSI-recognized standards. BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standard) is widely required by UK and European retailers. FSSC 22000 has broader adoption in U.S. and Japanese supply chains. Having both — as Yuminaga does — means your supplier can support you across different retailer and brand requirements.
If you sell into multiple channels — a cafe program plus retail grocery or co-manufacturing — confirm which standard your downstream partners require before you narrow your supplier list.
What to request from your supplier
Ask for a copy of their current FSSC 22000 certificate. It should show: facility name, scope of certification, issuing certification body, and expiration date. Don’t accept a logo on a website — get the actual document. Cross-check the expiration date before placing a large order.
Also request:
- COA for the specific lot you will receive
- Allergen statement and cross-contact controls
- Traceability documentation (lot code, production date, origin)
- FDA import-ready paperwork if you are a U.S. buyer
Yuminaga’s processing facilities are FSSC 22000 certified. We provide certificates and COAs with every shipment as standard. If you’re building a compliance file for a large buyer or retailer, we can support that documentation — contact us via our inquiry page or browse wholesale matcha.