HACCP, which stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, is a food safety management system that helps find and control potential hazards at any stage of food production. Being HACCP-certified brings many benefits to food production.
In this blog, you will learn about HACCP certification, who needs it and why, how to obtain it, and other helpful information.
What Is HACCP Certification?
Let’s start with the definition of HACCP certification.
HACCP certification is an international standard that confirms that food production meets every food safety requirement, which means it ensures consumers’ health. This document will justify that your company has successfully developed and implemented a HACCP plan. Using a HACCP plan proves your commitment to food safety and that your production is checked for biological, chemical, or physical hazards and is safe.
What Are the Advantages of HACCP Certification?
First and foremost, the HACCP certificate is advantageous because you will be safe from producing hazardous food.
Although HACCP is not compulsory in some countries, you will still need to get the certificate to enter the food markets in the leading countries or maintain your business in the country you are in. For example, a HACCP certificate is part of every other more comprehensive 3rd-party food safety certification, some of which are mandatory in the USA, Australia, China, and EU countries.
Apart from greater market acceptance, a HACCP certificate will make your company more reliable for consumers. Investors or partners will be more eager to cooperate with a HACCP-certified firm and see that you are taking the first step to creating safe and quality food products.
What’s more, you will gain an advantage over your competitors who do not have food safety measures in place.
So, having a HACCP certificate is more beneficial than being uncertified. That is why you should contemplate obtaining it.
Who Needs HACCP Certification?
You should use a HACCP system if you are:
- A producer of food or food packaging
- A food retailer or distributor
- Restaurant or catering establishment
- Supplier of raw materials to food manufacturers or processing companies, etc.
Simply put, a HACCP certificate is required for any company that deals with food production, processing, and distribution. HACCP aims to ensure food safety throughout the whole supply chain.
How To Get HACCP Certification?
You must undergo the HACCP verification audit to get a HACCP certificate. A food safety auditor can take a few hours to a few days to thoroughly verify whether your HACCP system successfully manages all the potential food safety hazards in your production process.
First of all, you should be aware of HACCP verification audit requirements. The audit aims to check if the company sticks to 7 HACCP principles:
- Hazard analysis
- CCP identification
- Establishing critical limits
- Monitoring procedures
- Corrective actions
- Verification procedures
- Record-keeping and documentation.
1. Consider HACCP training
Completing HACCP training is a great way to ace your HACCP plan certification. Having finished the courses, you will find it easier to comprehend the 7 HACCP principles, the certification peculiarities, etc.
The training will also draw your attention to the significance of the HACCP plan and teach you how to implement it in the company. There is an abundance of free and priced training courses, which can be done online or in person in any language you and your team need.
Being HACCP trained and certified will educate you more about food safety and prepare you for the audit.
2. Write and implement your HACCP plan, or have FoodReady write one for you.
A quality HACCP plan that can be easily implemented includes prerequisite programs like SSOPs (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). These programs create the necessary conditions for safe food production. Prerequisite programs should be regularly monitored and documented.
Your HACCP logs, which record prompt and appropriate responses to food hazards, are vital to have on hand during the certification process. You have to prove that food safety is your top priority. Apart from that, you must have other well-organized food safety management systems in place.
3. Gap analysis.
You must identify the weaknesses and improve them. You can do it independently, but it is preferable to involve an independent consultant so they can review everything from their perspective. FoodReady HACCP consultants can help you write your HACCP Plan and prepare for the audit. Check out our website to find out how we can assist you.
4. Choose an auditor.
You must ensure that the selected person is competent and has a license to conduct the audit. Then, you will be safe and know that the certification process will go smoothly. You can try searching for the auditor among Accredited Third-Party Certification Bodies.
5. The audit starts after you submit the documents.
Firstly, the auditor will verify if the actual situation at your facility corresponds to the records you provided. Then, the auditor will assess everything else, including the workers, facilities, documents, etc. At each stage, you will receive recommendations for improvement.
6. Complete the audit and get your certification document.
This will prove that you follow HACCP principles and that your business has a comprehensive food safety system, which means you are reliable and your products are safe. Remember to maintain your results, follow the updates, and strive to improve. Continuous improvement is crucial for the food industry.
HACCP Certification and HACCP Plan Difference
It may be confusing, but the HACCP plan differs from HACCP certification and does not guarantee a successful audit. However, this plan is a fundamental requirement for a certificate. Also, if you pass other audits like GFSI, you must implement a HACCP plan.
You can also read our blog on how to write a HACCP plan.
How To Make the HACCP Certification Process Easier?
Knowing more about HACCP certification is already a huge step forward. Still, we believe it is always an excellent idea to ask for assistance from a specialist who knows what they do so you don’t waste your resources on trial and error.
With FoodReady HACCP consultants, you will worry less about writing and implementing your HACCP and food safety plans. We will develop your complete food safety program.
Our FoodReady software is a convenient way to track details during audits and the regular working process.
To find out more, you can book a call with us or start your free trial now!
Now You Know More About HACCP Certification.
Let’s summarize the main points from this article:
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification is a standard that will demonstrate your commitment to food safety. It will also bring many advantages to the organization, such as increased food safety and boosting business development.
If you are a food manufacturer, processor, vendor, or anyone involved in the food supply chain, think about a HACCP certification as an option to ensure food safety.
The HACCP audit will check whether your food production process supports the seven HACCP principles and if you implement the HACCP plan correctly. You should take a HACCP course, conduct a gap analysis, and make other steps to prepare for the audit.
Moreover, you can contact a specialist to help you prepare for the HACCP audit and get a certificate. FoodReady is here to help you and increase your chances of success!
FAQs
Usually, it takes several days. Time depends on factors like the company’s size, HACCP plan readiness, etc.
You can get HACCP certified online with FoodReady by having experts write and implement your plan, preparing you for audit success through customized support, consultations, and management tools.
The cost will depend on various factors. Firstly, different certification firms will offer their quotes. Also, aspects like the size of the company, your preparedness, training, the need for corrective actions, etc, influence the price a lot. It’s better to research the certification bodies you prefer and ask for a customized quote. FoodReady offers cost-effective software and consulting services to write and implement your HACCP plan and prepare for the audit.
No, HACCP cannot guarantee a 100% hazard-free environment. However, it can considerably lower the risk of hazards.
ISO is an expanded food safety program based on HACCP principles but also looks at business processes and structures.