You may have read about HACCP when it comes to food manufacturing, and that you should look for a cleaning company that is HACCP certified. In order to comply with food standards, it is important to understand what is involved. Read below to find out what HACCP is, and how it impacts your food manufacturing business.
What is HACCP?
Food safety has always been a primary concern for any business who manufactures or processes edible products. Several companies came together in the 1960s, and as a result created a plan to recognise and mitigate risks that may lead to food contamination. This plan is known as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, or HACCP (pronounced hassup).
What are the seven principles of HACCP?
Throughout the world, there are seven main principles that are used in the food manufacturing industry. These are:
Hazard Analysis
Hazard analysis includes identifying anything that may become a hazard to food safety at each step of the manufacturing process, and creating control measures to manage those hazards.
Critical Control Points
This principle includes determining which hazards in the manufacturing process that could pose the most risk. A Critical Control Point indicates a step in the process where a control can be put in place to prevent or reduce a food safety hazard.
Critical Limits
This principle determines the level of acceptability for CCPs. This is based on established food safety principles and requirements under legislation.
Critical Control Monitoring
It is important to continue to monitor the critical limits of CCPs. These processes must be documented, defining for example who is responsible, and how often the specified monitoring takes place.
Corrective Action
You should have a plan in place should it appear that a hazard is going to breach the critical limits set. This includes documenting how you are going to regain control and how to identify and dispose of affected products.
Verification
Once you have implemented corrective actions, it is important to ensure the desired result is being achieved. This may be done through testing and physical assessments, and as with all other steps, should be documented.
Documentation and record keeping
Through thorough documentation and record keeping, you will be able to demonstrate that each of the principles has been implemented correctly.
What is HACCP certification?
HACCP certification demonstrates that a business is committed to meeting the stringent standards required to carry out the HACCP principles. It is an internationally recognised standard. Above all, it indicates that the business’s processes are designed to identify and minimise safety hazards in food cleaning, and the methods and products used are safe for food manufacturing facilities.
Does my food manufacturing business need to comply with HACCP?
In Australia, it is a requirement that food manufacturing businesses have a food safety program under the Food Standards Code. In short, food safety programs are based on HACCP, so it is important to understand what it is and how to implement it in your business.
Orbit Cleaning is HACCP certified. This means we can provide cleaning services for a range of food manufacturing facilities that are compliant with Australian sanitisation standards. We are proud to hold HACCP certification amongst our accreditations and certifications, as it demonstrates our commitment to adhering to food safety standards.
For more information about our HACCP certification and food factory cleaning service, contact us on 1300 660 699.
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