Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a systematic approach to food safety that helps identify and prevent potential hazards in food processing. There are seven principles of HACCP that guide the development and implementation of a food safety plan. These principles are:
1. Conduct a hazard analysis: This involves identifying potential hazards that may occur at different stages of food processing, such as biological, chemical, or physical hazards. For example, in a meat processing plant, biological hazards like bacteria or parasites may be identified as potential hazards.
2. Identify critical control points (CCPs): CCPs are points in the food processing where control measures can be applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce hazards to an acceptable level. For example, in a dairy processing plant, pasteurization may be identified as a CCP to control the growth of harmful bacteria.
3. Establish critical limits: Critical limits are the maximum or minimum values that must be met to ensure food safety at each CCP. For example, in a seafood processing plant, the critical limit for cooking temperature may be set at 145°F to ensure the destruction of pathogens.
4. Establish monitoring procedures: Monitoring procedures involve regularly checking and recording the control measures at each CCP to ensure that critical limits are being met. For example, in a bakery, temperature logs may be kept to monitor the temperature of ovens during baking.
5. Establish corrective actions: Corrective actions are steps that must be taken when monitoring procedures indicate that a CCP is not under control. For example, if a metal detector in a food packaging plant detects metal contamination, the product must be removed and the equipment inspected and repaired.
6. Establish verification procedures: Verification procedures are activities that confirm that the HACCP system is working effectively. This may include reviewing records, conducting audits, or testing samples. For example, in a canning facility, microbiological testing may be conducted to verify the effectiveness of the sterilization process.
7. Establish record-keeping and documentation procedures: Records must be kept to document the implementation of the HACCP plan, including hazard analysis, CCPs, critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification procedures. This documentation provides evidence that the food safety plan is being followed and can be used for audits or inspections.
Overall, the application of these seven principles of HACCP in food processing helps ensure the production of safe and high-quality food products by systematically identifying and controlling potential hazards throughout the production process.