Hazard HACCP

Hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP)... 

While quality was formerly achieved by inspection of final products, it is accomplished now by prevention through controlling critical steps in the production processes along the agri-food chain. Hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) represent a typical example of such a preventive approach. Although this concept was developed primarily to assure food safety, the basic principle is also applicable to assuring non-safety quality attributes such as color, flavor, and nutritional value. " This section translates the HACCP principles into a critical quality control point (CQP) concept that can be part of a system to assure food quality. 

The concept of risk assessment requires a profound understanding of food dynamics and technological conditions that may impact the risk levels of certain hazardous compounds. It requires that scientific information and data are collected to underpin conclusions about risk levels. Risk assessment can be used to scientifically underpin the selection of hazards that must be covered by a quality or safety assurance system (e.g., HACCP) that will improve the reliability of the system. 

The issue of anthelmintic use in poultry production is covered in Chapter 12 and quality assurance systems based on hazard analysis by critical control point (HACCP) systems are described in detail by van Elzakker et al. (2004) and in Chapters 22 and 23 and are therefore not addressed here. 

To improve the ability to establish best practice with respect to manure use and prevention of pathogen transfer (especially on farms which are converting to organic farm management), a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP)-based quality assurance system has been proposed (Haward and Leifert, 1999). This proposed four main critical control points (CCPs) (see Table 19.4). 

HACCP is one of the minimum standards that is often required in a food processing enterprise to ensure that products do not contain harmful levels of biological, physical or chemical hazards such as pathogenic microorganisms or toxins. The overall idea of HACCP is to identify specific CCPs, which are those steps in the production process where the safety of the final product can be controlled most efficiently, and then define systematic procedures for monitoring and corrective action, to ensure that the risk is controlled at each... 

The production steps covered by the HACCP plan are described systematically in the form of a flow diagram. All hazards that may jeopardise the safety of the food are listed and it is decided which ones should be included in the analysis. 

As alluded to in the BSE illustration given earlier, genuine risk management measures can focus on systematic hazard removal based on the HACCP system or on some other alternative or more appropriate system. In some cases, this can involve the isolation of the cause of the problem. In other cases, it can involve the conservative elimination of all suspected contaminants. Concurrent with this is the importance of reporting these efforts in a proactive means and keeping consumers informed about decisions, processes, and progress. 

Even in the face of a well-planned emergency response plan, complications can arise. One common area where this happens is with systematic hazard removal. When existing evidence is poor, HACCP will require extensive risk assessment and may not be as easy to implement as one would hope. Nevertheless, it is important to realize that the resources allocated to risk assessment have important signal value to the public. Depending on the level of resources dedicated to a cause, an absence of investment can either cause a further increase in the perceived risk or lead to a feeling of frustration that nothing is being done. A perceived balance needs to be maintained. 

Haynes alloy 25 (L605), composition of wear-resistant alloy, 7 22 It Haynes alloy 188, composition of wear-resistant alloy, 7 22 It Hayward Tyler agitator, 1 739 HAZARD I method, 11 449 Hazard acceptance, 13 170 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) protocol, 15 260 Hazard analysis and risk assessment,... 

This nonsystematic approach to monitoring has proven inadequate for protecting the U.S. food supply. In response, the FDA enacted the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) program of 1997 (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1995, 2001). In the U.S., the FDA has established action levels in suspect seafood for the toxins causing some of the shellfish poisonings (see Table 7.3). When an action level is reached, the HACCP plan must be followed to prevent unsafe product from reaching consumers. 

Bolton, D. J., Pearce, R. A., Sheridan, J. J., Blair, I. S., McDowell, D. A., and Harrington, D. (2002). Washing and chilling as critical control points in pork slaughter hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) systems.. Appl. Microbiol. 92, 893-902. 

Reilly, A. and Kaferstein, F. (1997). Food safety hazards and the application of the principles of the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system for their control in aquaculture production. Aquae. Res. 28, 735-752. 

In achieving this target, all countries should seek common, science-based, international standards. FSIS should continue to ensure that equivalent inspection systems and standards for meat and poultry products exist in all countries exporting such products to the United States, especially in light of the better US safety standards expected under Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). FDA also should evaluate the food safety systems of other countries, with the purpose of entering into agreements with those countries having food safety systems that offer equivalent levels of public health protection to those of the United States or that can provide assurance that their products will be in compliance with FDA requirements. 

HACCP Hazard analysis and critical control point... 

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