Hazard analysis and critical control points or HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes that can cause the finished product to be unsafe, and designs measurements to reduce these risks to a safe level.
What is HACCP?
An HACCP system allows you to identify hazards and put in place controls to manage these throughout your supply chain during production. The HACCP scheme meets the requirements of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) – established by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to bring together international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to ensure fair trade. It can also be used to support the requirements of management standard requirements.
HACCP provides businesses with a cost effective system for control of food safety, from ingredients right through to production, storage and distribution to sale and service of the final consumer. The preventive approach of HACCP not only improves food safety management but also complements other quality management systems. Food safety management systems built in accordance with the principles of HACCP have a clearly defined structure.
Seven Basic Principles of HACCP
(1) Hazard analysis
(2) Critical control point identification
(3) Establishment of critical limits
(4) Monitoring procedures
(5) Corrective actions
(6) Record keeping
(7) Verification procedures.
What are the benefits of HACCP?
-Implement internationally recognized food safety system
-Conveys a degree of confidence required by consumers, retailers and buyers within the food industry
-Provides buyers, consumers, government enforcement and trade agencies with justified assurance that control systems are in place to assure the safe production of food
-Align HACCP with ISO 22000 to improve food safety management systems
-Continually review and improve your system so it stays effective
-It is based on the internationally-recognized Codex Alimentarius standards and guidelines and other national standards
-Regular assessments help you to continually monitor your food safety system
-HACCP can add value to your entire supply chain with improved hazard controls, whatever its size or location.