Last updated on: 2025-10-29

HACCP (Codex) — Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points in India

HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) is a preventive, science-based methodology from Codex Alimentarius to control significant food safety hazards. It focuses on hazard analysis, identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs), setting critical limits, and enforcing monitoring, corrective action, verification and record-keeping.

Structured hazard analysis (biological, chemical, physical, allergens)
CCP identification & critical limits
Monitoring, corrective actions & verification
Documentation, traceability & recall readiness

PrecisionTech delivers HACCP implementation and audit readiness across India. We conduct HACCP studies, define CCPs & critical limits, establish monitoring plans, build traceability & recall procedures, train teams, and coordinate audits with accredited bodies.

GMP/PRP gap analysis & scope definition
HACCP plan (hazard analysis, CCPs, limits)
Supplier controls & end-to-end traceability
Internal audits, management review, audit readiness

HACCP implementation across India with end-to-end audit readiness.

We tailor your HACCP plan from GMP/PRPs and hazard analysis to CCPs & critical limits, monitoring & verification, traceability & recall, and internal audits. We align evidence for a smooth Stage-1 (documentation & readiness) and Stage-2 (implementation & effectiveness) audit with accredited bodies.

How to Implement HACCP?

Start with discovery and a GMP/PRP gap analysis. We map products and process flows, validate on-site, conduct the hazard analysis, determine CCPs, set critical limits, define monitoring & corrective actions, build the verification plan, train your team, and run internal audits & management review— then facilitate external assessment with an accredited body.

Compare scope, product categories, and regulatory drivers to adopt a pragmatic, audit-ready HACCP approach for your business.

HACCP (Codex) — Food Safety

About HACCP

HACCP is a systematic, preventive approach to food safety that identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards significant to food safety. It applies to all organisations in the food chain—production, processing, packaging, storage, transport, retail and food service—and supports due diligence and regulatory compliance.

Implemented well, HACCP reduces incidents and recalls, strengthens supplier controls and traceability, improves compliance, and builds customer confidence.

Introduction to HACCP Implementation

Adoption should be planned. Design, implementation and timing depend on:

Scope, product categories and process complexity
Regulatory obligations and customer requirements
Hazards, allergens and vulnerable points in the chain
GMP/PRPs in place and infrastructure
Competence, awareness and resources
Number of sites and organisational structure

Benefits of HACCP

Improves legal compliance and due diligence
Reduces incidents, withdrawals and recalls
Strengthens supplier controls and incoming checks
Enhances traceability and crisis management
Delivers PDCA-driven improvement and measurable KPIs
Builds brand trust and supports market access

Myths about HACCP

“End-product testing is enough.” — HACCP focuses on preventive controls, not just testing.
“It’s only for factories.” — Logistics, storage and food service are all in scope.
“HACCP certifies products.” — HACCP validates your control system; it does not certify products.

HACCP Focus Areas

GMP/PRPs (hygiene, sanitation, pests, personal hygiene, maintenance)
Product description, intended use & process flow diagrams
Hazard analysis and CCP determination (decision tree)
Critical limits, monitoring & corrective actions
Verification & validation activities
Traceability, withdrawal & recall preparedness
Documentation, records and training

Roadmap for HACCP

Key steps for a pragmatic, audit-ready implementation:

Gap analysis vs. Codex HACCP and regulatory needs
Define scope, products, process flow and PRPs
Conduct hazard analysis; determine CCPs & critical limits
Document SOPs and monitoring/verification plans
Establish traceability and recall/withdrawal procedures
Train teams; implement supplier and incoming controls
Run internal audits and management review
Close findings; prepare for Stage-1 & Stage-2 audits

Assessment & Certification Process (HACCP)

Step	Description
1	Application to PRECISION & quotation
2	Review of application & scope
3	Agreement between PRECISION & client
4	Stage-1 audit (documentation & readiness)
5	Stage-2 audit (implementation & effectiveness)
6	Certificate issuance by accredited body
7	Surveillance audits (year 1 & 2)
8	Recertification (year 3)

Cost of HACCP Implementation in India

Cost Component	Basis	Nature
Audit/assessment fees	Man-days, FS scope, risk & sites	Variable
Registration/cert fees	Product categories & complexity	Variable
Other expenses	Travel, accommodation, misc.	Actuals

Charges depend on organisation size, locations, product categories, process complexity and regulatory profile. We provide a tailored estimate after scoping and gap analysis.

Integrated Management System (IMS)

HACCP integrates well with:

FSMS — ISO 22000
GFSI Scheme — FSSC 22000
Quality — ISO 9001
Environment — ISO 14001
OH&S — ISO 45001

Apply for HACCP (Codex) Implementation/Certification in India?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is HACCP?

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a Codex Alimentarius methodology that prevents food safety issues by identifying significant hazards, deciding Critical Control Points (CCPs), setting critical limits, and applying monitoring, corrective actions, verification, and record-keeping.

What Are The Benefits Of HACCP?

Benefits include fewer incidents and recalls, stronger due diligence and legal compliance, better supplier control, improved traceability and crisis response, measurable KPIs, and increased customer and retailer confidence.

Who Should Implement HACCP?

Any organisation in the food chain: primary production, processing, packaging, storage, transport, retail, food service, and manufacturers of food-contact materials.

How Does HACCP Certification/Assessment Work?

After implementing the HACCP plan, a third-party body may conduct a two-stage assessment (Stage-1: documentation & readiness; Stage-2: implementation & effectiveness). Many organisations also integrate HACCP within an ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 FSMS for certification.

How Much Does HACCP Implementation/Certification Cost in India?

Costs in India depend on man-days, number of sites, product categories, process complexity, risk profile, and current PRP/GMP maturity. Additional costs may include training, monitoring equipment, calibration, and traceability/recall drills.

What Are The Seven Principles Of HACCP?

1) Conduct hazard analysis, 2) Determine CCPs, 3) Establish critical limits, 4) Establish monitoring, 5) Establish corrective actions, 6) Establish verification, 7) Establish documentation and records.

What Are PRPs And How Do They Relate To HACCP?

Prerequisite programmes (PRPs) are foundational hygiene and infrastructure controls (GMP, cleaning, sanitation, pest control, maintenance, personal hygiene). PRPs control general conditions; HACCP controls significant hazards at CCPs.

What Is The Difference Between CCP And OPRP?

In Codex HACCP, control is via CCPs. The term OPRP (Operational PRP) is used in ISO 22000. A CCP requires a critical limit and strict monitoring; an OPRP controls significant hazards that may not need a critical limit but still require defined criteria and monitoring.

What Documented Information Is Required?

Scope and product descriptions, intended use, process flow diagrams, hazard analysis, CCP decision records, critical limits with rationale, monitoring and corrective action procedures, verification/validation plans, traceability and recall procedures, training and records.

What Is Validation vs Verification?

Validation confirms control measures can achieve intended results (e.g., cook time/temperature studies). Verification confirms controls are implemented and effective (e.g., monitoring reviews, audits, tests, trend analysis).

How Does Traceability Work In HACCP?

Identify lots/batches and associate them with raw materials and processing history to enable targeted withdrawal/recall. Test traceability periodically to confirm speed and completeness.

What Is Withdrawal And Recall?

Withdrawal removes product not yet available to consumers; recall removes product already in the market. Procedures must define roles, communication, product scope, and post-incident review; conduct mock exercises at planned intervals.

How Do We Manage Allergens?

Identify allergen hazards, segregate and label correctly, validate cleaning to prevent cross-contact, verify via testing where appropriate, and ensure suppliers declare allergens and update specifications promptly.

What Supplier Controls Are Required?

Define specifications, approve suppliers based on risk, communicate requirements (including allergens and hazards), verify incoming materials, and periodically evaluate supplier performance.

What Training And Competence Are Needed?

Personnel must be competent for their roles. Provide training on GMP/PRPs, HACCP principles, CCP monitoring, allergen control, traceability/recall, hygiene, and crisis communication; retain competence records.

How Often Should Internal Audits Be Conducted?

Plan risk-based internal audits covering HACCP studies, PRPs, monitoring records, corrections/corrective actions, verification results, and traceability/recall readiness—commonly on an annual cycle or more frequently for high-risk processes.

What Is Management Review In A HACCP System?

Top management periodically reviews objectives, KPIs, audit and verification results, incidents/complaints, regulatory changes, resource needs, and improvement actions. (Often implemented as part of an ISO 22000/FSSC FSMS.)

What KPIs Are Typical For HACCP?

Examples: CCP deviation rate, time-to-correction, verification nonconformities, complaint rate by cause, micro results vs limits, allergen cross-contact incidents, recall drill time, supplier COA on-time rate.

How Are Transport And Storage Controlled?

Define conditions (temperature, humidity, segregation, hygiene), monitor and record them, manage cold-chain breaks, and verify vehicle/container cleanliness and integrity.

How Does Multi-Site Assessment Work?

Groups with central control and uniform processes may be sampled by the certification/assessment body. Eligibility and sample size depend on risk, site similarity, and demonstrable central governance.

Is HACCP The Same As ISO 22000 Or FSSC 22000?

No. HACCP is the hazard-control methodology from Codex. ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 are full management systems that embed HACCP plus PRPs, governance, audits, and continual improvement within a certified framework.

How Long Does HACCP Implementation Take?

Typical programmes take 4–10 weeks for small to mid-sized organisations, depending on scope, hazards, regulatory complexity, sites, and baseline PRP maturity.

What Are Common Nonconformities?

Incomplete hazard analysis, weak CCP justification, missing or vague critical limits, insufficient CCP monitoring records, ineffective corrective actions, inadequate verification, and untested traceability/recall.

How Often Should The HACCP Plan Be Reviewed?

At planned intervals (often annually) and whenever changes occur—new products, process or equipment changes, supplier changes, incidents, or new hazards/regulations.

Is Product Certification Part Of HACCP?

No. HACCP validates your control system; it does not certify individual products. Product safety is achieved through PRPs, HACCP controls at CCPs, verification, and continuous improvement.

How Often Should Traceability And Recall Be Tested?

Conduct mock traceability and recall/withdrawal exercises at planned intervals (commonly annually) to verify speed, accuracy, and communication effectiveness.

Can Small Businesses Implement HACCP?

Yes. HACCP is scalable. Controls should be proportionate to risk. Many small processors, caterers, and logistics providers implement HACCP to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

How Does HACCP Integrate With Other Standards?

HACCP integrates naturally with ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 and aligns with ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), and ISO 45001 (OH&S) for a broader Integrated Management System.

How Are Outsourced Processes And Co-Packers Controlled?

Define and communicate requirements, qualify providers, ensure equivalent controls for hazards and traceability, monitor performance, and retain evidence of oversight and results.