HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, and it’s the tool that the FDA uses to monitor food-related safety standards in restaurants, as well as other foodservice operations like supermarkets and cafeterias. HACCP certification isn’t mandatory, but you’ll find that many vendors are more willing to work with you if you have it, as it demonstrates your commitment to quality control. So how does one go about getting HACCP certification?
What is HACCP?
HACCP is an acronym that stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. The aim of HACCP is simple: identify potential hazards within your business and mitigate them before they can cause harm to anyone, be it employees or customers. Having a clearly defined strategy in place will go a long way toward giving you peace of mind as you continue operating, knowing that your business won’t be vulnerable to any unwanted surprises.
The reasons why you should become HACCP certified
It’s a guarantee of safety and quality. With thousands of food recalls in recent years, consumers want assurance that their food has been prepared under sanitary conditions and is free from dangerous pathogens. HACCP certification is a way to give your business an advantage over competitors. With government regulations becoming increasingly stringent, having your business certified could be a significant differentiator.
How do I apply for certification?
In order to apply for certification, you will need a letter of intent (LOI) from your organization, as well as its risk-assessment documentation. Your LOI must include your contact information, a brief overview of your facility and its activities and processes, an outline of your sanitation program, and other relevant details.
What steps need to be taken before application begins?
Mandreel Indonesia shared that because you want your business to be known as a place that’s safe, healthy and reliable. it’s crucial that you develop an effective food safety program. Before you can apply for food certification, your restaurant or food service operation must have a documented plan that outlines how these principles will be implemented. This typically involves an employee who will manage and oversee all aspects of your food safety program in addition to following approved guidelines regarding time/temperature control and sanitation requirements.
The application process of becoming HACCP certified
It’s a lot easier than you might think. In order to be eligible, you need only pass an on-site inspection from a certifying body. The organization will then audit your facility and identify any areas where changes are necessary. Once those steps have been completed, you can expect notification of your certification in about 2-3 weeks (total time is around 90 days). From there, a certified seal will appear on all applicable products.
Overview of what happens after your application is submitted
Once you submit your application, they will review it. If they finds any issues with your application, they will give you an opportunity to fix these errors. Most of these issues are minor and can be resolved in a few days or less. Once everything is resolved, they will let you know that you are approved to begin work under certification.
Things you need to know about being audited
Before you even think about applying for a certification, or if you have recently been audited by a certifying body, it’s a good idea to learn what your responsibilities are when under audit. After all, there are many things that go into getting certified and staying certified that extend far beyond filling out paperwork correctly and storing your food at appropriate temperatures. If you want to be prepared and ready for whatever an audit may throw at you, check out these things you need to know about being audited. To find out more about HACCP in Bahasa Indonesia, visit Mandreel HACCP page to get more info in