Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems for Retail Food and Restaurant Operations

There are many hazardous operations that are associated with the preparation of foods in food markets and foodservice establishments. These hazards have been repeatedly documented as major contributing factors during investigation of outbreaks of foodborne disease. Risks vary depending on (a) the food source, (b) methods used to prepared foods, (c) conditions during storage and display, and (d) the interval between heating and consumption. Although many different foods are prepared in these operations, they can be classified into categories of foodservice systems and certain critical control points apply to each system. For example, cooking is a critical control point of Cook/Serve Systems; hot holding, as well as cooking, is a critical control point for Cook/Hold Hot Systems; chilling is a critical control point for Cook/Chill and Cook/Freeze Systems; and obtaining foods from safe sources and/or reheating, if applicable, are critical control points for Assemble/Serve Systems. The HACCP system provides several magnitudes of food safety assurance over that offered by traditional inspections for food market and foodservice operations.