HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
Standard Introduction
HACCP is an active standard published by Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO). It is commonly used across Food & Beverage, Manufacturing and applies in Global.
Use this page to review the official documentation, current status, and the certification or assessment bodies most commonly associated with HACCP.
Seven Principles
A systematic framework based on seven principles: hazard analysis, CCP identification, critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, verification, and record-keeping — applied from raw materials to finished products.
Legally Mandated
Unlike many food safety standards, HACCP is legally required in the US for seafood, juice, and meat/poultry processors. The EU also mandates HACCP-based procedures under Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
Preventive Approach
Focuses on preventing food safety hazards rather than detecting them in finished products — addressing biological, chemical, and physical hazards at critical control points in the production process.
list_alt The Seven HACCP Principles
- Principle 1: Conduct a hazard analysis
- Principle 2: Determine critical control points (CCPs)
- Principle 3: Establish critical limits for each CCP
- Principle 4: Establish monitoring procedures
- Principle 5: Establish corrective actions
- Principle 6: Establish verification procedures
- Principle 7: Establish record-keeping and documentation
Who Needs to Comply?
Food manufacturers, processors, and handlers — including seafood, meat, poultry, and juice processors (legally mandatory in the US), as well as any food business seeking to systematically manage food safety risks. Required by regulation in the US, EU, and many other jurisdictions.
Key Requirements
Hazard Analysis
Identify and evaluate all potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards associated with each step of the food production process — from raw material receipt through processing, storage, and distribution.
Critical Control Points
Determine the points, steps, or procedures in the process where control can be applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce food safety hazards to acceptable levels. Use decision trees to systematically identify CCPs.
Critical Limits & Monitoring
Establish scientifically-based critical limits (e.g., temperature, time, pH) for each CCP. Implement monitoring procedures with defined frequency and responsibility to ensure critical limits are consistently met.
Corrective Actions & Verification
Define specific corrective actions when monitoring indicates a CCP deviation. Establish verification activities including CCP validation, record review, and periodic reassessment of the HACCP plan.
Documentation & Records
Maintain comprehensive records including the HACCP plan, hazard analysis, CCP monitoring logs, corrective action records, and verification activities. Records must be available for regulatory inspection.
Penalties & Enforcement
As HACCP is legally mandated for certain food categories, non-compliance can result in FDA warning letters, injunctions, product seizures, and facility shutdowns. Criminal penalties for food safety violations can include fines and imprisonment. In the EU, failure to implement HACCP-based procedures can result in enforcement action by national food safety authorities.