The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is internationally accepted as the system of choice for food safety management. It is a preventative approach to food safety based on the following seven principles:
identify any hazards that must be prevented eliminated or reduced
identify the critical control points (CCPs) at the steps at which control is essential
establish critical limits at CCPs
establish procedures to monitor the CCPs
establish corrective actions to be taken if a CCP is not under control
establish procedures to verify whether the above procedures are working effectively
establish documents and records to demonstrate the effective application of the above measures
The HACCP approach provides a systematic way of identifying food safety hazards and making sure that they are being controlled day-in, day-out. This involves the following four steps: Plan, Do, Check. These steps are described in more detail below.