What is the seventh principle of HACCP?

The seventh and final principle of HACCP is to establish documentation concerning all procedures and records appropriate to these principle and their application. Records must be kept to demonstrate that the HACCP System is operating under control and that appropriate corrective action has been taken for any deviations from the Critical Limits.

Maintaining complete and accurate records is essential to ensure effective monitoring of the HACCP system and demonstration of compliance with food safety requirements.

Documentation will:
•Prove that programs are effective and being completed as written;
•Demonstrate due diligence;
•Meet requirements for third party customer assessments/audits;
•Meet regulatory requirements; and
•Establish a paper trail to improve the current food safety program.

Accurate record keeping is an essential part of a successful HACCP program. Records provide documentation that the critical limits have been met or that appropriate corrective actions were taken when the limits were exceeded. Likewise, they provide a means of monitoring so that process adjustments can be made to prevent a loss of control.

According to the Codex guidelines, “documentation and record keeping should be appropriate to the nature and size of the operation and sufficient to assist the business to verify that the HACCP controls are in place and being maintained.”

What is the seventh principle of HACCP?