Whether you’re required to do so by law, or just want to ensure your product is safe, the work you put into your HACCP plan will pay off in the long run. The HACCP system allows you to identify and control any hazards that pose a danger, and can be applied throughout the food chain from production to consumption.
But it’s no easy task, implementing a successful HACCP plan involves the full commitment from management and your HACCP team, which must include one person who is HACCP-trained.
Here’s five reasons why the food safety system is beneficial to other industries:
Reduction in product loss
Prerequisite programs, such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), are the foundation of HACCP. SOPs are written procedures that accurately describe and detail essential job tasks. The use of SOP pre-operations and cleanup checklists help ensure the steps throughout the production process are done correctly, resulting in fewer mistakes.
Increase in product quality
By identifying and controlling potential hazards, such as microbiological, chemical and physical contaminants, the company can better assure consumers that its products are safe. By reducing hazards, you maintain a clean record, which in turn will strengthen the company’s public image.
Better inventory control
The required prerequisite program checklists layout in establish monitoring procedures, detailing the correct way to complete the job, taking the guessing work out of it. Prerequisite programs must be continuously documented by the designated employee and reviewed by the company to ensure HACCP compliance. During review, personnel can monitor and correct purchase specifications.
Consistency in product preparation
As part of the HACCP system critical control points, at which a control can be applied to prevent a hazard, are identified. From there critical, measurable limits of acceptability are outlined for each critical control point, as well as monitoring procedures. These steps guarantee product consistency. However, if the criteria is not met and deviation occurs, the product will either be corrected or disposed of.
Increase in profit
The costs of implementing and operating a HACCP system vary depending on the requirements the facility needs for compliance. But the investment will contribute to profitability, here’s why: by applying all seven of the HACCP principles, safe and quality products will be produced, earning the trust of customers who will continue to keep purchasing the product.
In summary, taking action to ensure the safety of the food being produced has a ripple effect of positive outcomes. It all starts with the implementation of prerequisite programs, which set the stage for applying HACCP principles.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a set it and forget it system! If the correct procedures are not constantly enforced, documented and maintained, hazards are bound to occur. Leniency could result in noncompliance, a recall or even a foodborne illness outbreak.
