What is HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)?
A systematic food safety management approach that identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards that are significant to food safety.
Detailed Explanation
HACCP is an internationally recognised system for managing food safety risks. It follows seven principles: conduct a hazard analysis (identify potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards), determine critical control points (CCPs — steps where control can be applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce hazards), establish critical limits (measurable thresholds at each CCP), establish monitoring procedures (how CCPs will be checked), establish corrective actions (what happens when a critical limit is breached), establish verification procedures (confirming the system works), and establish record-keeping (documenting all activities). In Australia, HACCP-based food safety systems are required or strongly encouraged across the food industry, from manufacturing through to food service.
Why It Matters
Foodborne illness causes immense human suffering and can devastate a food business through recalls, legal liability, regulatory sanctions, and destroyed reputation. HACCP provides a proactive, science-based approach to food safety that is far more effective than reactive testing of finished products.
Example
A commercial bakery implements a HACCP plan that identifies baking temperature as a critical control point for pathogen elimination. The critical limit is a core temperature of 75°C for a minimum of 15 seconds. Continuous temperature monitoring is installed in each oven, with automatic alerts if the limit is not met. In 12 months, they have zero food safety incidents and pass their council audit with commendation.
Related Terms
A documented plan that identifies food safety hazards in a food business and describes the measures in place to control them.
A systematic approach to preventing defects by focusing on the processes used to create products or services.
A structured set of guidelines, policies, and controls that ensures an organisation meets its legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations.
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