ISO 22000 Lead Auditor Course

The ISO 22000 Lead Auditor Course is a training program aimed at professionals who wish to lead audits of Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) under the ISO 22000:2018 standard. This course is more advanced than basic awareness or internal auditing and is designed to give participants the ability to not just audit, but to plan, manage, and lead audits—internally or for certification bodies.

What the Course Covers

Participants learn the structure and detailed requirements of ISO 22000:2018, with emphasis on how food safety hazards are analyzed, how preventive controls are set up, how prerequisite programs (PRPs) and operational PRPs work, and how the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) methodology is integrated. The course also covers auditing principles in line with ISO 19011, including planning, preparing, conducting, reporting, and following up on audits. Practical exercises and simulations are used so trainees get hands-on experience with tasks like reviewing documentation, interviewing personnel, observing operations, writing nonconformity reports, and holding opening/closing meetings. Managing audit teams and applying international certification body requirements are typically included.

Duration, Format & Assessment

Usually, this is a five-day course (about 35-40 hours) though modes vary. Many providers offer classroom (in-person) batches, virtual instructor-led training, or blended formats combining online self-study and live sessions. On the final day, there is commonly a certification exam to test understanding of both the ISO 22000 standard and auditing methodology. Continuous assessments may also take place during the course via group exercises, mock audits, and quizzes.

Who Should Attend

This training is ideal for food safety managers, quality assurance professionals, auditors (internal or external), consultants, regulatory or compliance staff, and those responsible for maintaining or improving food safety standards in their organization. Participants typically benefit if they have some prior exposure to food safety concepts or internal audits, though some courses accommodate beginners by including foundation modules or pre-course preparation content.

Key Benefits

The Lead Auditor qualification enhances professional credibility and opens opportunities in external auditing, certification bodies, consulting, or advisory roles. Individuals gain a strong ability to evaluate FSMS for both compliance and performance, to lead audit teams, and to contribute more effectively to continual improvement of food safety systems. Organizations benefit because having certified Lead Auditors internally strengthens readiness for certification, improves food safety risk management, and helps ensure auditing is robust, consistent, and aligned with global best practices.

Considerations Before Enrolling

When choosing a provider, it helps to check whether the course is accredited or recognized by bodies such as IRCA or CQI, what the exam requirements are, whether mock audits or case studies are included, and what level of support materials are provided. Also check whether the format (in-person vs virtual), schedule (weekdays vs weekends), and cost align with your needs and ability to participate. Post-training support (refreshers, updates when the standard is revised) is also useful for maintaining competence.