How to get HACCP

HACCP certification in South Africa

with No Comment

 

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a systematic preventive approach to food safety that addresses biological, chemical, and physical hazards in the production processes. While HACCP itself is an international standard, its implementation and certification may vary by country. In South Africa, HACCP certification is important for ensuring that food products meet safety standards.

Here are general steps to obtain HACCP certification in South Africa:

  1. Understand HACCP Principles: Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of HACCP, which include conducting a hazard analysis, determining critical control points, establishing critical limits, implementing monitoring procedures, corrective actions, verification, and record-keeping.
  2. Training and Education: Ensure that key personnel involved in food safety are adequately trained and educated in HACCP principles. Training may be conducted through recognized training programs or consultants.
  3. HACCP Plan Development: Develop a HACCP plan specific to your food production processes. This plan should outline the critical control points, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification activities.
  4. Hazard Analysis: Identify and analyze potential hazards in your food production processes. This involves evaluating biological, chemical, and physical hazards.
  5. Determine Critical Control Points (CCPs): Identify the points in the production process where control can be applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce a specific hazard to an acceptable level.
  6. Establish Critical Limits: Set critical limits for each CCP to ensure that the process is under control.
  7. Monitoring Procedures: Develop procedures for monitoring CCPs to ensure that critical limits are consistently met.
  8. Corrective Actions: Establish procedures for taking corrective actions when monitoring indicates that a CCP is not under control.
  9. Verification: Implement verification activities to confirm that the HACCP system is working effectively. This may include regular reviews, audits, and testing.
  10. Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate records of the HACCP plan, monitoring results, corrective actions, and verification activities.
  11. Certification Body: Choose a certification body that is accredited and recognized in South Africa. The certification body will assess your HACCP system to ensure compliance with the standard.
  12. HACCP Certification Audit: Undergo a HACCP certification audit conducted by the chosen certification body. The audit will involve a review of your HACCP plan, records, and on-site inspection.
  13. Corrective Actions and Continuous Improvement: Address any non-conformities identified during the audit and continuously improve your HACCP system.

It’s important to note that South Africa has its own regulatory authorities and industry-specific standards related to food safety. The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) may be a relevant organization to contact for guidance on HACCP certification in South Africa. Additionally, certification bodies accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) are recognized for providing credible certification services.

HACCP

HACCP certification in Australia

with No Comment

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, I don’t have specific information about “qualitcert” or its services. However, I can provide you with a general overview of the process for obtaining HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certification in Australia. The actual procedures may vary depending on the certification body, in this case, qualitcert. It’s important to contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Here’s a general guide on obtaining HACCP certification:

  1. Contact Qualitcert: Reach out to qualitcert directly through their official channels, which could include their website, contact forms, or direct communication via email or phone.
  2. Inquiry and Preliminary Assessment: Discuss your organization’s interest in obtaining HACCP certification with qualitcert. They may conduct a preliminary assessment to understand your current food safety management system and the scope of your HACCP plan.
  3. Training (if required): Qualitcert may provide training sessions on HACCP principles and requirements. This is especially important for organizations that are new to HACCP or need to ensure that their staff is well-versed in the methodology.
  4. Gap Analysis: Conduct a gap analysis to identify any areas in your current processes that need improvement to meet HACCP standards. This step helps in determining the steps necessary for compliance.
  5. HACCP Plan Development: Develop a comprehensive HACCP plan that identifies and controls potential hazards in your food production or handling processes. This plan should include critical control points (CCPs), monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification processes.
  6. Documentation: Prepare and maintain documentation that demonstrates your organization’s compliance with HACCP principles. This includes records of hazard analyses, critical limits, monitoring activities, corrective actions, and verification activities.
  7. Internal Audits: Conduct internal audits to ensure that your HACCP system is effective and being followed as planned. This step helps identify any areas for improvement before the official certification audit.
  8. Certification Audit: Schedule and undergo a certification audit by qualitcert. During the audit, a qualified auditor will review your HACCP plan, documentation, and processes to ensure compliance with HACCP principles and relevant standards.
  9. Certification Issuance: If your organization successfully meets the requirements during the certification audit, qualitcert will issue the HACCP certification. The certification may be valid for a specified period, and periodic surveillance audits may be required to maintain certification.

It’s crucial to communicate directly with qualitcert to understand their specific processes, fees, and any additional requirements they may have for HACCP certification in Australia. Additionally, ensure that qualitcert is recognized and accredited by relevant bodies for providing HACCP certification services.