Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
( HACCP )

HACCP is a system of food safety management based on the prevention of food safety problems.

New European Union legislation will require all food and drink outlets in the EU to have a fully documented HACCP system in place by 1 January 2006. The new law is to be enforced by Local Authorities through their Environmental Health Officers. Full details of the new law are to be found at www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/regulation/europeleg/eufoodhygieneleg/six.

HACCP is internationally accepted by Governments and the food industry alike as the system of choice in the management of food safety. It is widely accepted that HACCP presents the food industry with the most effective management tool to secure safe food. As such, the adoption of its principles will offer a legal defence in the event of an outbrake of food borne disease,

HACCP is based on 7 key principles:

1. Identify the hazards that must be prevented, eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.
2. Identify the Critical Control Points ( CCP's ) at the step or steps at which control is essential to prevent or eliminate a hazard or reduce it to acceptable levels
3. Establish critical limits at CCP's which separate acceptability from unacceptability for the prevention, elimination or reduction of identified hazards.
4. Establishing and implementing effective monitoring procedures at CCP's
5. Establishing corrective actions when monitoring indicates that a CCP is not under control
6. Establishing procedures which shall be carried out regularly to verify that the measures outlines above are working effectively
7. Establishing documents and records commensurate with the nature and size of the food business to demonstrate the effective application of the measures outlined above.

For small companies HACCP aims to ensure food safety with the minimum necessary control by correctly focusing control at a small number of Critical Control Points (CCP's) and keeping the necessary records integrated into existing practice.

	We have extensive knowledge and experience of providing: - Fully documented HACCP systems Appropriate staff training Enhancement of existing systems Ongoing verification and review audits of HACCP systems Let us take the weight off your shoulders and leave you to do what you do best - run your business.