HACCP-based approach to the derivation of an on-farm food safety program for the Australian red meat industry

The standard Codex HACCP approach was modified to allow a hazard analysis to be conducted at an industry level which could then be used to derive appropriate on-farm food safety control measures for cattle, sheep and goat production in Australia. Scientific information from a through chain risk profile of the red meat industry was used as a major resource for the hazard analysis. The process resulted in the identification of critical control points for control of bovine spongioform encephalopathy (BSE), prevention of violations of maximum residue limits with agricultural and veterinary chemicals and infection with Cysticercus bovis (Beef Measles). By applying this HACCP-based approach it was determined that the application of a simple set of good agricultural practices (GAP) on-farm would be effective in ensuring low risk. It was, therefore, concluded that on-farm food safety schemes may not warrant full HACCP plans at the individual enterprise level as long as appropriate GAP is in place. The results provide red meat producers with the elements of a HACCP-based food safety scheme that is scientifically justifiable, understandable and realistic to apply which are essential elements that underpin successful implementation and compliance by industry. Subsequently, an on-farm food safety program has been developed to provide an appropriate level of protection for consumers as well as to protect Australia’s trade from food safety-related issues.     

Microbiological safety evaluations and recommendations on fresh produce

In 1995, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (Committee) was asked to investigate and characterize the association between cases for foodborne illness and fresh produce. The Committee was asked to provide recommendations that could be employed to reduce the risk of foodborne outbreaks associated with these commodities. In furtherance of this assignment, the Committee reviewed current epidemiologic data, the microbial ecology of the outbreak-associated organisms, and considered the current industry practices used for growing, harvesting, packing and distribution. An evaluation of these data provided a basis for hazard identification and the development of related control measures.

The Committee has developed seven specific recommendations: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) should be developed that will provide guidance on those agricultural and processing steps that can reduce pathogen levels on fresh produce. While Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Programs (HACCP) would be likely to provide the greatest assurance of the safety of these products, there are presently insufficient data upon which to develop such progams. Proactive and practical education programs are needed at all steps in the process, i.e., from the field to the consumer's plate. Additional data are needed to conduct effective risk assessments of the microbial hazards associated with fresh produce. Better product identification and tracing systems are needed for outbreak investigations. Research must be conducted to fill some of the current knowledge gaps in order that improved intervention strategies can be employed. Steps should be taken to ‘streamline’ approval processes for new technologies that will reduce/eliminate microbial hazards.     

Effect of market channel,farm scale,and years in production on mid-Atlantic vegetable producers' knowledge and implementation of Good Agricultural Practices

Foodborne illnesses associated with fresh produce have dramatically increased within the last decade. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) were developed to address potential sources of pre-harvest microbial contamination, but certification remains low. The majority of mid-Atlantic vegetable farms are fresh market, but limited information is available about what on-farm production practices are being utilized to mitigate food safety risks. Our goal was to assess Maryland and Delaware vegetable producers' understanding and implementation of GAP. An electronic survey on pre-harvest production practices was administered at commercial grower meetings in 2010 and 2013. A total of 313 surveys were analyzed, and Probit regression was used to estimate the average marginal effects of farm scale, years in production and market channel on the probability of using different on-farm food safety practices. Generally, food safety practices did not differ across farm scale or years in production. However, market channel did influence a grower's decision to implement some food safety practices. Growers who marketed their produce primarily through wholesale channels were more likely to: have written policies for how they grew and handled their produce, test their irrigation water at least once a year for microbial contamination, or be GAP-certified. Economic constraints were not reported as the primary obstacle for GAP implementation in either survey. While more research is needed to better understand how market channel influences decision-making activities including on-farm food safety practices, this study highlights the complexity of the issue and the need for GAP educational programs to expand beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.     

Consumers’ familiarity with and attitudes towards food quality certifications for rice and vegetables in Vietnam

This study investigates consumers’ attitudes towards, and familiarity with, food quality certification in selected urban areas in the South of Vietnam. Cross-sectional data were collected by means of a consumer survey (n = 500). Consumers’ awareness of food quality-related terms was relatively low. Less than half the participants claimed to understand the meaning of good agricultural practices (GAP), organic food and sustainability. Consumers’ familiarity with food quality certification (Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP), Global Good Agricultural Practices (GLOBALG.A.P.), organic, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)) was also low. Familiarity with food quality certification was positively associated with general attitude and food choice motives, namely food safety concern, perceived importance of healthy eating, and perceived importance of environmental consequences relating to food purchase. Food safety concern and perceived importance of environmental consequences were positively associated with consumers’ attitudes towards safe vegetables, as well as high quality rice. Perceived importance of healthy eating was positively related to attitude towards high quality rice. Findings suggest that food safety aspects of safe vegetables and high quality rice should be emphasized during policy and marketing activities for food quality certification. Additionally, an increase in the perceived importance of environmental consequences relating to quality food purchase should be encouraged to enhance positive consumer attitudes towards quality food. Efforts to improve public awareness and knowledge of food quality certification and sustainable agricultural practices in developing countries such as Vietnam are highly recommended.     

Principles for the establishment of microbiological food safety objectives and related control measures

The ICMSF has recommended several steps for the management of microbiological hazards in foods in international trade, applying existing Codex documents in a logical sequence. The steps include: the conduct of a risk assessment and an assessment of risk mnanagement options, the establishment of a food safety objective (FSO), and confirmation that the FSO is achievable by application of GHP and HACCP. A FSO is a statement of the frequency or maximum concentration of a microbiological hazard in a food considered acceptable for consumer protection. FSOs can be used by risk managers to communicate to industries this acceptable level of a hazard, in order to establish effective control measures. The effectiveness of control measures is assured through adhering to performance criteria and process criteria set by the industry to meet the FSO. This system of food safety management will facilitate acceptance of seemingly different, but in reality equivalent, food production and food control practices.     

The role of the Canadian government agency in assessing HACCP

In Canada, two food inspection programs have developed to embody internationally recognized principles of safe food processing. The Food Safety Enhancement Program (FSEP) is for establishments registered under the Meat Inspection Act and the Canada Agricultural Products Act, while the Quality Management Program (QMP) is for federally registered fish processing establishments. Both FSEP and QMP are fully compatible with the international HACCP guidelines adopted by Codex alimentarius. Under both QMP and FSEP initiatives, food manufacturers are responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of HACCP food safety systems. The CFIA is responsible for verifying or auditing that industry operates acceptable systems.     

Incorporating HACCP into national food control systems - Analyzing progress in the United Arab Emirates

Today governments and other parties involved in food control are under constant pressure to find more efficient and effective mechanisms to carry out their mandates for food control. This has led to international recognition of the importance of the HACCP system as a food control tool and guidance on the role of government agencies in the application of such a system has been developed. Based on this international guidance, four main elements identified as key activities have been used in this study to evaluate the progress of HACCP implementation in the UAE. The internal Strengths and Weaknesses, as well as the external Opportunities and Threats that the government is facing towards the implementation of a HACCP-based food control system have been identified. The analysis shows that the government’s dedicated role has been an essential driving force to encourage the implementation of a HACCP-based food control system. Some areas of difficulty, including the dependence on high levels of food imports, are highlighted.     

Irradiation: a critical control point in ensuring the microbiological safety of raw foods

The widespread and increasing incidence of foodborne diseases and the resultant social and economic impact on the human population have brought food safety to the forefront of public health concerns. This has prompted public health authorities worldwide to reassess their methods of food safety assurance, and to resort to a more cost-effective, preventive method that is known as hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP). Ensuring food safety depends on effective control measures, i.e., methods to prevent food contamination and, when necessary, decontamination. Present production methods cannot totally prevent food contamination, and the complexity of food handling and processing provides ample opportunity for contamination as well as survival and growth of pathogenic organisms. It is also unlikely that the methods of production can ensure foods totally free from in the near future, for many pathogens are part of the normal flora of the environment. The application of an HACCP-based approach as a method for the management of hazards of the food chain demonstrates the need for applying a cold decontamination treatment as a control measure in the production of foods which are to be marketed raw or minimally processed. Irradiation (increasingly referred to as “cold pasteurization”) is such a control measure in the production of several types of raw or minimally processed foods such as poultry, meat and meat products, fish, seafood, and fruits and vegetables. In the production of these foodstuffs, irradiation may thus be a critical control point (CCP). It has the potential to eliminate vegetative forms of bacterial pathogens as well as parasites. Moreover, irradiation fulfils other criteria for a CCP, i.e., critical limits (minimum and maximum doses) can be established and monitored, and process control is well known. Corrective actions can also be taken when necessary. Irradiation is a safe technology and has been recognized as such by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. It certainly merits the attention of industry and public health authorities. Today, 40 countries permit the irradiation of one or more foodstuffs: 12 countries have approved its use for pathogen control in poultry, 8 other for use in meats, and 13 in fish and seafood.     

The role of government agencies in assessing HACCP

There is worldwide evaluation and reorganization of food inspection and control systems geared towards improving efficiencies, rationalizing human resources and introducing risk analysis-based approaches. The HACCP principles play a pivotal role in these preventive approaches. Their application is a responsibility of the food industry, whereas government control agencies are responsible for monitoring and assessing their proper implementation. This paper reviews some of the issues pertinent to HACCP assessment, namely its purpose, activities involved, frequency of assessment, HACCP approval/certification, qualifications and training of assessors. It is based on the experience of the author in training and assisting industry and government agencies in implementing HACCP-based quality systems, especially in developing countries, where food export has a major impact on the national economies.     

HACCP – The difficulty with Hazard Analysis

HACCP is a key element of modern food safety management practice such that design, implementation, control and management of HACCP systems are crucial to the production of safe food products. Whilst it is widely accepted that food companies should apply HACCP, understanding of the factors impacting successful HACCP application is limited and this knowledge is important to the delivery of systems that will control all relevant food safety hazards. HACCP principle 1, Conduct a Hazard Analysis, forms a central pillar of any HACCP plan since hazards need to be identified, analysed and understood before effective control measures can be specified. However limited guidance is available to HACCP teams on exactly how to approach the application of this principle. This paper discusses an investigation into the application of HACCP principle 1 by HACCP teams operating within manufacturing sites of a multinational food company. Using a combination of HACCP knowledge testing and HACCP plan assessment, the study identified weaknesses in knowledge of significant hazard identification and errors in the hazard analysis process, including errors in application of structured risk evaluation methods. Findings suggest that this is an area of difficulty for HACCP teams and that further detailed guidance in the application of this HACCP principle is urgently needed.     

Hazard identification: from a quantitative to a qualitative approach

Hazard identification is a common step in the hazard analysis and risk-assessment processes. The fact that this step is shared between the two processes is creating some confusion about how they can be used in our food safety programs. Hazard analysis and risk assessment are fundamentally different and independent processes.Hazard analysis is a qualitative, local process conducted by a food plant's HACCP team. This process usually requires several weeks or months to complete. In contrast, risk assessment is a quantitative, global process in which a numerical degree of risk can be calculated for a particular hazard. It is usually conducted by a large consortium that includes regulatory, public health, academic, and industry participation. It is a longer process, typically requiring several months or years for completion.In hazard analysis, one major method for the identification of hazards consists of a review of the sensitive ingredients used in food production. Many food companies maintain sensitive ingredient lists for hazards such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, aflatoxin, allergens, etc. Another major method for the identification of hazards consists of an open-ended brainstorming process by the HACCP team, which in 1992 replaced the brief, formal hazard analysis process that was first used about 30 years ago. The limited number of questions considered in the formal process proved to be insufficient to address the needs of the food industry, which is continually dealing with new hazards, new products, new processes, new markets, and new regulations.HACCP systems are designed to control identifiable hazards. Additional hazards that may need to be included in HACCP plans include previously unknown hazards that are identified by epidemiological efforts, and “regulatory hazards” that are mandated in new food regulations.     

The Cold Chain,one link in Canada’s food safety initiatives

The Cold Chain has always played an important role in food safety within the global market. The Canadian government has recognized it has an important role in the food continuum. In partnership with industry, national voluntary enhanced food safety systems, based on Codex Alimentarius (HACCP) principles, are being developed within Canada. These efforts will contribute towards food safety and will build confidence in foodstuffs grown, prepared and sold at all levels of trade and abroad.     

An evaluation of process specific information resources,aimed at hazard analysis,in Small and Medium Enterprises in food manufacturing

Food borne illness continues to be a major global concern, with approximately 76 million cases in the US and 70,000 in the UK annually. The adoption of a food safety management system based upon Codex HACCP principles became a legal requirement in the UK on January 1st 2006 but some companies are inexperienced and fail to implement it correctly. Barriers to HACCP include time, money and expertise, particularly for SMEs and microbusinesses. Lack of expertise is a particular problem when constructing the hazard analysis component of HACCP. A sector specific information resource, using simple language with no technical terms or jargon, was developed to assist SMEs with hazard analysis. One hundred and twenty three SME food manufacturers were recruited and intervention and control groups were assigned, with the intervention group receiving the resource. Evaluation visits were performed after four months. Each company was assessed against a specific tool that determined knowledge, behavior and attitude to food safety. The resource was well received but there was no significant improvement in knowledge, behavior or attitude when comparing the intervention and control group scores. Significant differences in the behavior of SMEs and microbusinesses were evident with SMEs scoring higher in all sections of the resource than the microbusinesses. SMEs also had a significantly higher total knowledge score than microbusinesses but there were no significant differences in attitudes. It is apparent action must be taken to assist SMEs with hazard analysis and full HACCP implementation, but provision of a single resource without additional support is not enough.     

Implementation of HACCP and prerequisite programs in food businesses in Turkey

The objectives of this study was to determine food safety practices and procedures related to the hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) programme and prerequisite programme implementation in food businesses. One hundred and nine food businesses in Turkey were assessed for HACCP-prerequisite programmes and food safety practices. Only eight food businesses had implemented the HACCP system in food businesses. Directors and employees often have insufficient knowledge regarding the basics of food hygiene. Results indicated that proper food safety practices and prerequisite food safety programmes for HACCP were often not being followed in many food businesses. Time and temperature errors and inadequate handwashing practices were wide in the most food businesses. Emphasis on implementing prerequisite programmes in preparation for HACCP is needed in food businesses. The problems of implementing HACCP in food businesses have been namely a low level of food hygiene management training, high staff turnover rate, lack of motivation, lack of financial resources, inadequate equipment and physical conditions of the facility and failure of government.     

HACCP does not work from Farm to Table

Because of its inability to detect hazards that occur a low incidence, the quality control system was supplanted by the HACCP system to provide assurance of food safety. The global use and success of the HACCP system in the food processing industry created false expectations that it could be used successfully in all steps of the food supply chain, from Farm to Table. However, the lack of definitive critical control points that could eliminate or control identified hazards prevents the effective use of HACCP in all steps of the supply chain. Food safety measures can be used at each step in the supply chain, but most of these measures will be prerequisite programs rather that critical control points from a HACCP system. To better focus on the application of effective food safety control measures, we must communicate in terms of “Farm to Table Food Safety”, rather than “Farm to Table HACCP”.     

HACCP-based food quality control and rapid detection methods for microorganisms

Foodborne disease is one of the most widespread problems of the contemporary world. Numerous microbiological hazards and risks are associated with different areas of the food industry. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) concept is a systematic approach to ensuring food safety. The implementation of an HACCP system is closely connected with microbiological quality control. Rapid microbiological methods are being extensively developed. The methods are based on several different principles of direct or indirect detection of microbes. In the HACCP system, these methods can be used when the system is developed, implemented and maintained. Successful combination of the HACCP programme and rapid microbiological methods may help the industry to find new ways of obtaining reliable results more efficiently and of ensuring food safety.     

HACCP economics in fish processing plants

This paper is aimed to show in a quantitative way the tech-economic advantages of applying a HACCP-based system in fish processing plants with a focus on the quality costs methodology. Quality costs before and after HACCP implementation at three fish processing plants located in Latin America are analyzed. The problems encountered and the resulting benefits are also described. Some of the findings demonstrate that a HACCP-based system implementation reduces failure costs, improves quality, and allows for better knowledge of production planning and control, showing that in the first years of HACCP implementation, when failure costs are over 80% of TQC, each dollar expended in controllable costs returns more than two dollars in failure savings.     

A working procedure for identifying emerging food safety issues at an early stage: Implications for European and international risk management practices

There is a need for early identification of emerging food safety issues in order to prevent them from developing into health risks. In this paper, various existing methods and procedures which can be used for early identification of safety issues are reviewed, including the monitoring of the occurrence of specific hazards within the food supply, or the incidences of food-borne diseases, as well as the combination of these data with other data or with expert opinions. Some methods, including hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP), operate pro-actively by pre-defining indicators for hazards and follow-up measures. Vulnerability assessment focuses on potential weak spots within the food supply, whilst futures research employs foresight to enhance preparedness for future hazards and risks. A Delphi survey on food safety risk analysis conducted among professionals revealed concerns with various aspects of current procedures for dealing with emerging issues, and these are discussed. The Delphi respondents also attached great value to the involvement of stakeholders and the inclusion of a broader range of data into risk analysis. Indeed, holistic systems employing indicators from outside the food production chain are now being developed. In conclusion, a four-step procedure for the early identification of emerging issues is proposed.     

The relationship among food safety knowledge,attitudes and self-reported HACCP practices in restaurant employees

This study investigates relationships among food safety knowledge, attitudes and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) practices in restaurant employees in Taiwan. The authors administered a baseline questionnaire to 542 restaurant employees to assess their food safety knowledge, attitude and HACCP practices. A total of 421 valid questionnaires were returned and used in analysis. Mean scores for each survey item were calculated and used in a structural equation model (SEM) designed to assess interrelationships between the three. Participants scored an average 84.7% correct in food safety knowledge, with highest and lowest correct scores in, respectively, the food poisoning and good hygienic practices (GHP) constructs. The highest score in the attitude section was “concern for food safety” followed by “self-improvement.” With the exception of the food poisoning construct, this study found correlations among knowledge, attitude, and HACCP practices, with attitude mediating the relationship between knowledge and HACCP practices. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Food safety regulatory model in India

The changing food safety standards, stricter sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements and improved global product norms trigger the necessity to improve legislative network of a country based on codex Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). Due to multiplicity of laws in a majority of developing nations processed food industry is facing a major threat for survival and growth. In India nine different ministries were involved in controlling this area. Food Safety and Standards Act was established to integrate the food safety laws in India, in-order-to systematically and scientifically re-orient food processing and manufacturing industry from regulation to self-compliance. In this study, authors' focuses on issues related to the food legislation enforced time to time based on international scenario and trade. This study brings out the fact that more holistic approach is seen in new scientific standard development and covers a wider variety of products including functional food, novel food and beverages. The basic requirements of food hygiene and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) practices as described by codex are important for any national food safety control. However, the study concludes that there exists a gap in infrastructure and risk-based approach in the both implementation and enforcement. The study also provides the SWOT analysis of Indian legislative model and recommendation for improvement.