HACCP

Disclaimer ix

Preface xi

Section 1 Introduction to HACCP 1

Frequently asked questions 2

1.1 What is HACCP? 2

1.2 Where did it come from? 2

1.3 How does it work? 3

1.4 What are the seven HACCP principles? 3

1.5 Is it difficult to use? 4

1.6 Why use it? 4

1.7 What type of company would use HACCP? 5

1.8 Are there any common misconceptions? 9

1.9 How do we know HACCP works? 10

1.10 What actually gets implemented in the workplace? 11

1.11 How does a HACCP plan get written? 11

1.12 Who carries out the HACCP study? 12

1.13 What is the regulatory position of HACCP? 12

1.14 Are there other driving forces for the use of HACCP? 14

1.15 What does it cost? 15

1.16 What is third]party certification? 16

1.17 Is there anything more that I should know? 16

Section 2 The HACCP system explained 17

2.1 HACCP system overview – How does it all fit together? 18

2.2 HACCP in the context of other management systems – What is HACCP and what is not? 21

2.2.1 Business management practices 22

2.2.2 Prerequisite programmes 25

2.2.3 Quality management systems for effective operation and process control 29

2.3 How do you get started with HACCP – The preparation and planning stage 32

2.3.1 Management commitment, personnel and training 33

2.3.2 Baseline audit 36

2.3.3 Planning the HACCP project 37

Section 3 HACCP in practice 41

3.1 Preparation for the HACCP plan development 42

3.1.1 Terms of reference 43

3.1.2 Describe the product and intended use 45

3.1.3 Construction and validation of a process flow diagram 49

3.2 Applying the principles 50

3.2.1 Principle 1: Conduct a hazard analysis – What can go wrong? 50

3.2.2 Principle 2: Determine the Critical Control Points (CCPs) – At what stage in the process is control essential? 62

3.2.3 Principle 3: Establish critical limit(s) – What criteria must be met to ensure product safety? 68

3.2.4 Principle 4: Establish a system to monitor control of the CCP – What checks will indicate that
something is going wrong? 69

3.2.5 Principle 5: Establish the corrective action to be taken when monitoring indicates that a particular CCP is not under control – If something does go wrong what action needs to be taken? 73

3.2.6 Principle 6: Establish procedures for verification to confirm that the HACCP system is working
effectively – How can you make sure that the system is working in practice? 75

3.2.7 Principle 7: Establish appropriate documentation concerning all procedures and records appropriate
to those principles and their application – How can you demonstrate (if challenged) that the system works? 79

3.3 Implementation of the HACCP plan 82

3.4 Maintenance of the HACCP system 87

3.5 Third]party certification of food safety management systems 89

3.6 Conclusion 89

Epilogue 91

Appendix A: Case study: Chilled and frozen cheesecake production 103

Appendix B: Acronyms and glossary 153

References 159

HACCP Resources 161

Index 165