Last updated on June 3rd, 2025 at 05:47 am
HACCP provides a systematic approach to identify and control the hazards in the food manufacturing process.
HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. It is an internationally recognized standard that regulates the safety of food during manufacturing. HACCP’s main focus is to analyse the food hazards. It also ensures that the food traders meet the food safety standards.
What is HACCP Certification?
HACCP is an internationally recognized standard that ensures that the food produced in the industry or organization is safe and meets the safety standards. This certification helps to identify risk and the risks associated with the food systems. It also helps to control the risks within the organization.
What is the concept of HACCP?
The HACCP concept is to analyze and control the potential hazards in the food manufacturing, delivering, etc. Also, its main focus is to provide safe and efficient food to the customers to protect them from germs and bacteria.
The concept of HACCP aims to analyze and control potential hazards in food manufacturing, distribution, etc. Also, its main goal is to protect customers from germs and bacteria and provide safe and efficient food.
History
HACCP was developed by Pillsbury, NASA, and the U.S. Army to ensure the food in space missions remains safe. It was developed by them in 1960. In 1970, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration adopted HACCP to provide low-acid cans. After the 1980s, HACCP was globally recognized, and now it is popular in both the U.S. and internationally. It was declared by the NAS in 1985 that HACCP is the most efficient way to ensure the safety of food. In 1990, the HACCP became a standard for food safety systems. After 1997, it was globally recognized. And also helpful for the food industry to identify and reduce the potential risks within their organization.
Why is HACCP Certification important?
HACCP certification is important for businesses because it helps to ensure the safety of the customers and also provides legal protection to your business. It provides a competitive edge to your organization. Also, it is cost-saving and helps to reduce risks for the organization.
Why do we need a HACCP Certificate?
We need an HACCP certificate to demonstrate that the food business aligns with the different food safety standards.
Who can benefit from HACCP Certification in India?
- Food manufacturers and processors
- Restaurant and catering services
- Food transporters and logistics
- Retail outlets
- Other-food related businesses
- Organizations with the entire food supply chain
7 Principles of HACCP
This certification is based on some principles, which are given below. You can learn about them and get more information.
- Conduct a Hazard Analysis- Analyze the potential hazards in the food processing process related to chemical, biological, or physical factors.
- Determine the CCPs- Determine critical control points in the food where food production process to apply control measures to minimize the food hazards.
- Establish Critical Limits- Specific limits are established for each CCP to analyze the acceptable level of hazard control
- Establish monitoring procedures- Monitor the CCP regularly in the organization to ensure that it is operating within established critical limits.
- Establish corrective actions- Implement such corrective actions in the organization so that the safety of the food of the organization improves.
- Establish verification procedures- Inspect regularly to check whether the HACCP standards are being correctly implemented in the company or not.
- Establish record-keeping and documentation procedures- All types of records and documents of HACCP must be properly maintained in the organization. Also including the hazards, CCPs, monitoring, critical limits, etc.
Requirements of HACCP
- Good Manufacturing Practices
- Facility of Design and Layout
- Equipment maintenance
- Supplier control
- Water safety
- Personal hygiene
- Pest control
- Waste management
- Standard operating systems
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Food storage and handling
- Maintenance
- Training
- Allergen Management
- Food safety audits and inspections
- Record keeping
Types of Hazards
- Biological hazards- These are the threats that can cause foodborne illness. It also includes moulds, bacteria, viruses, and yeasts.
- Physical hazards- the unnecessary objects (impurities) present in the food can cause a physical hazard. Like glass, stones, metal, etc
- Chemical hazards- The harmful substances that can spoil the food, such as pesticides.
- Allergenic hazards- The food products that can cause an allergic reaction in the individual.
HACCP levels
- HACCP level 1- It provides the knowledge about how we can control the potential hazards and critical control points within the organization.
- HACCP level 2- It provides more knowledge about the principles of HACCP than level 1.
- HACCP level 3- It is a qualification for individuals who are involved in the implementation, development, and management of HACCP in the food industry.
- HACCP level 4- It is an advanced course of training that helps to build the foundational knowledge of HACCP.
- HACCP level 5- It refers to the training module in the safety of food, which focuses on advanced food safety risk principles and practices.
- HACCP level 6- Level 6 is a qualification level; it refers to FETAC, which defines the high level of competence and skills in the Food management system.
HACCP vs ISO 22000
| Feature | HACCP | ISO 22000 |
| Scope | It focuses on Hazard analysis and CCPs | It is surrounded by PRPs, system management, and risk analysis |
| Regulation | It is compulsory in most countries | It is voluntary but extensively adopted |
| Implementation | This applies to the specific food chain stages | This provides an end-to-end structure for the FSMS framework |
| Nature | Food Analysis and Critical Control Points | Food safety management system |
| Documentation | No specific document required for PRPs | Documents required for PRPs |
| Risk analysis | Explicitly not required | Risk-based approach for hazard evaluation |
| Monitoring and corrective actions | Only focus on the CCP monitoring | It required corrective actions and monitoring for both OPRPS and CCPs |
| Communication | It includes internal communication | Includes external communication |
| Control measures | Controls are divided into PRPs and CCPs | To enhance hazard control, it adds OPRPs |
Difference between HACCP Certification and HACCP plan
HACCP plan is the document that shows the plan and procedure for food safety, and HACCP certification is an internationally recognized standard that ensures the food hazards are controlled and managed systematically.
Is HACCP right for my organization?
HACCP is helpful only for organizations and businesses that are involved in the food supply chain. Also including manufacturers, distributors, processors, and service providers. As it ensures that the firm meets the standards of food safety.
Who can get HACCP Certification?
- Food producers and manufacturers
- Food retailers and distributors
- Restaurants and catering establishments
- Suppliers of raw material
- Anyone involved in food handling and processing
- Businesses in the food supply chain
- Organizations in the food processing sector
Challenges faced while implementing HACCP
- Insufficient training
- Lack of technical expertise
- Complicated terminology
- Resource constraints
- Incomplete or inaccurate hazard analysis
- Insufficient documents
- Lack of commitment
- Complex processes
HACCP implementation: prerequisite problems
- Personnel training
- Product recall procedures
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Facilities and equipment management
- Supplier evaluation
- Waste management
- Pest management
- Storage and transportation
Real-life examples of HACCP application
- Nestle- Food and beverage
Nestle is a famous food and beverage brand. It has obtained the HACCP certificate for the company. They follow strict safety rules in their organization to enhance the safety of the food and help it from preventing hazards.
- General Mills- Food Manufacturing
General Mills is a globally famous brand for food manufacturing. They help to ensure safety in the cereal manufacturing plants. They identify and manage the potential risk in a systematic way within their organization after obtaining HACCP certification.
How to get HACCP certification
- Understanding- Deeply understand the requirements of HACCP.
- Establish a HACCP team- Develop a team to establish a HACCP plan in the organization.
- Describe the product- In detail, define the characteristics of food products.
- Draw a process flow diagram- Represent the steps involved in the process visually, from receiving to delivering the product.
- Identify intended use- define how the products will be used or consumed, also including their shelf life.
- Identify and analyze hazards- Identify the potential threats in the food safety hazards.
- Determine CCPs- Analyze the areas where controls can be applied to reduce hazards.
- Establish monitoring training- To ensure that the CCP is under control, regularly monitor the CCPs.
- Verify the HACCP plan- take corrective actions if the CCP is not under control.
- Keep records- Maintain the records of HACCP activities.
- Choose a certification body- Choose a certification body to apply HACCP certificate.
- Undergo a HACCP audit- An audit will be conducted by the certification body to verify the HACCP in your organization.
- Receive certificate- If audits are successful, certification issues.
Documents required for HACCP certification
- HACCP plan
- Hazard Analysis
- Flow diagram
- CCPs
- Critical limits
- Monitoring procedures
- Corrective action
- Verification procedure
- Record-keeping procedure
- Company information
- Project report
- Income tax returns
- Plant & machinery detail
- Training record
- Food safety policies
Cost
The HACCP certification cost depends on-
- Size and complexity of the business
- Audit fees
- Consulting fees
- Training cost
- Standard fees
Processing time
If you are applying HACCP Certificate from A Star Legal Associates, you will get a HACCP certificate within 24 hours.
Validity
3 years
HACCP Certification Consultancy
A Star Legal Associates provides HACCP certification in India. If you want to reduce the potential risks in the food business and want to enhance your business, then certify your food business with an HACCP certificate. You can consult with our A Star Legal Associates team for more information regarding the HACCP certificate.
Benefits of HACCP Certification
- Enhance customer satisfaction
- Reduce risk for foodborne illness
- Elimination of hazards
- Reduce risk for product recalls
- Improved resource utilization
- Reduce production cost
- Streamlined processes
- Enhanced brand reputation
- Increased market value
- Expanded market opportunities
- Increased competitiveness
- Compliance with international standards
- Adherence to food safety standards
- Protection against legal protection
- Facilitates inspections
Disadvantages of HACCP
- Complexity and resource-intensive
- Requires expert knowledge
- Focused on specific hazards
- Constant maintenance and updating
- Risk of complacency
- Documentation burden
- Does not address all quality issues
- Limited scope
- Initial implementation challenges
- Potential overemphasis on paperwork
Conclusion
This certification plays an important role in the food industry. It ensures the safety of food.
Food traders and manufacturers need to obtain this certificate for food safety. HACCP certificate helps to enhance consumer trust and expand the market opportunities for the business. By obtaining this certificate, it will help reduce the risks within the organization.
FAQ
What is the full form of HACCP
HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.
What is the full form of FETAC
FETAC stands for Further Education and Training Award Council.
What is the meaning of HACCP?
HACCP is a process or a systematic approach to analyze and control the potential hazards in the food safety systems.
The latest version of HACCP
The latest version of HACCP is CAC/RCP 1-1969, revised in 2022.
HACCP in the beverage industry
In the beverage industry, HACCP is an FSMS that ensures the safety of food from the raw materials to the final product.
What is CCP in HACCP
It is a process in the food processing operation where the critical controls are applied to reduce or eliminate the identified potential risks.
HACCP in the Kitchen
HACCP in the kitchen helps to reduce foodborne illness by identifying and controlling the hazards.