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HACCP certification is one of the most important certifications for businesses in the food and beverage industry. In the UK, it is mandatory for all the food businesses to implement a HACCP-based food safety management system.
In India, it is optional but recommended because it helps to identify, evaluate and control hazards in food production. In this blog post, we shall explain to our readers HACCP certification for food industry in detail.
HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. It is a systematic, science-based management system used in the food industry to ensure food safety. In HACCP, biological, chemical and physical hazards are identified, evaluated and controlled. It covers every stage of the production process, from raw material production to final consumption, including manufacturing and distribution throughout the supply chain.
HACCP for food industry is especially important for high-risk foods like meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products and juice. It is built upon 7 core principles, i.e., (i) hazard analysis, (ii) identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs), (iii) establishing critical limits, (iv) monitoring procedures, (v) corrective actions, (vi) verification procedures, and (vii) record-keeping/documentation.
HACCP certification is a globally recognized certification that is specifically designed for the food and beverage industry. When a food business obtains this certification, it shows that the company manages food safety according to HACCP principles in a systematic way.
In India, HACCP certification is not compulsory. However, it is highly recommended because it demonstrates that the business takes strong steps to ensure food safety and helps build trust and reputation in the food industry. HACCP certification in India is issued by independent, accredited third-party auditing agencies.
HACCP certificate offers a wide range of benefits. Some of its key benefits include the following:-
It ensures safety of food supply as it controls and reduces significant food hazards.
The HACCP certificate, being an globally recognized certification, helps to enhance the brand reputation of a food business.
It increases a food business operator’s market entry worldwide and can have a notable impact on their sales and revenue.
Food businesses possessing a HACCP certificate have a competitive edge over non-certified food businesses. The HACCP certified food businesses showcase a verified commitment to international food safety standards.
It increases trust and confidence among the end-users.
Here are some requirements for securing HACCP certification in India:-
The applicant entity must have implemented the HACCP system in the organization prior to applying for HACCP certificate.
Before applying, it must have established the necessary food safety process controls, HACCP process control manual, relevant procedures and SOPs.
It must’ve conducted a minimum of one complete cycle of internal audit of the HACCP system prior to the application.
Prior to the HACCP application, the entity must have also held at least one management review meeting on the HACCP system.
Apart from the above-mentioned requirements, the following documents are necessary:-
Application in Prescribed Format.
Detailed Project Report mentioning the Applicant Organization’s Promoters.
Background of the Applicant Organization and activities they are engaged in.
The Applicant Organization’s Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the previous three years.
Copy of FSSAI License issued to Applicant Organization. The license must be valid and not expired.
Price Quotation of Certification Authority
Details of Proposed Plant & Machinery.
A Duly Executed Affidavit on Non-judicial Stamp Paper of Rs.10/- or more. It must be notarized.
Documents pertaining to Date of Commencement of Commercial Production.
Documents pertaining to the Implementation Schedule for Implementation of the HACCP system.
To get HACCP certification, a detailed process needs to be completed. Here are the essential steps involved in the process:-
Step 1:- First and foremost, the food business must understand all the HACCP principles and the requirements.
Step 2:- Accordingly, it must develop a HACCP plan as well as process flow chart.
Step 3:- The workers must receive food safety and hygiene training, and be made aware about HACCP principles, food safety hazards, critical control points and monitoring.
Step 4:- Then, training must be provided on HACCP plan and the workers must be made aware of their responsibilities.
Step 5:- The business must maintain CCP monitoring records and corrective action records.
Step 6:- After the food business smoothly completes the implementation of HACCP principles, they can apply for HACCP certification.
Step 7:- After application, the certification body will carefully examine it to see if it meets the requirements. Then, it will send a team to the organization to verify whether the HACCP principles are in place. If satisfied, the team will recommend for certification and then the organization will be granted the HACCP certificate by the certification body.
HACCP is a popular food safety management system across the world. Unlike traditional quality control, which focuses on checking, sampling and testing finished food products to find problems, HACCP is a proactive approach. It identifies possible hazards in advance and takes steps to prevent them before they occur. In India, third-party certification bodies issue the HACCP certificates to the eligible food businesses. To obtain the certificate, the food business must implement all the HACCP principles prior to applying for the certification.
If you need assistance in securing a HACCP certification in India, you can connect with our experienced HACCP consultants at Registrationwala. We’ll guide you regarding how the entire certification process works and also provide full-fledged assistance so you can secure the certification in a smooth and hassle free manner, and as soon as possible.
Q1. What is the purpose of HACCP?
A. The goal of HACCP is to prevent and reduce the occurrence of food safety hazards, and ensure the food is safe for consumption by the general public.
Q2. Does HACCP guarantee 100% food safety?
A. The answer is no. There is no doubt that HACCP helps to minimize several risks associated with food safety to a great extent. However, even then, it cannot guarantee 100% food safety.
Q3. Is HACCP recognized by FDA and FAO?
A. Yes, HACCP is recognized by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Q4. Does FSSAI issue HACCP certificates in India?
A. No, FSSAI does not issue HACCP certificates in India. Instead, independent, accredited third-party auditing agencies are responsible for issuing this certification in the country.
Q5. What is the validity of HACCP certificate in India?
A. The HACCP certificate remains valid for the period determined by the third-party certification body. Typically, the certificate is valid for 1 to 3 years, subject to successful annual surveillance audits.
Q6. What are the core principles of HACCP?
A. There are 7 core principles of HACCP, i.e., (1) hazard analysis, (2) identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs), (3) establishing critical limits, (4) monitoring procedures, (5) corrective actions, (6) verification procedures, and (7) record-keeping/documentation.
Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.
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