Food Safety
10 min read
Intermediate

Food Safety & HACCP Compliance Masterclass

Protect your customers and business with comprehensive food safety protocols. Master HACCP principles, temperature control, and sanitation practices that ensure compliance and prevent foodborne illness.

The 7 HACCP Principles

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) is a systematic approach to food safety that identifies, evaluates, and controls food safety hazards.

1

Conduct Hazard Analysis

Identify potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards in your food preparation process

Action: List all ingredients, preparation steps, and identify where contamination could occur

2

Determine Critical Control Points (CCPs)

Identify points where hazards can be prevented, eliminated, or reduced to safe levels

Action: Mark cooking temperatures, cooling procedures, and storage conditions as CCPs

3

Establish Critical Limits

Set measurable criteria that must be met at each CCP to ensure food safety

Action: Define specific temperatures, times, pH levels, and visual observations

4

Establish Monitoring Procedures

Develop procedures to monitor CCPs to ensure critical limits are met

Action: Create checklists and assign monitoring responsibilities to specific staff members

5

Establish Corrective Actions

Define steps to take when monitoring indicates deviation from critical limits

Action: Document what to do if temperatures are wrong or procedures aren't followed

6

Establish Verification Procedures

Implement methods to verify that the HACCP system is working effectively

Action: Regular review of records, calibration of equipment, and system evaluation

7

Establish Record Keeping

Maintain documentation that demonstrates the HACCP system is followed consistently

Action: Keep temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and corrective action records

Critical Temperature Guidelines

Hot Foods

165°F (74°C) or above

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Stuffing
  • Casseroles
  • Reheated foods

Medium Hot Foods

160°F (71°C)

  • Ground beef
  • Pork
  • Egg dishes
  • Ham

Medium Foods

145°F (63°C)

  • Whole beef
  • Fish
  • Lamb
  • Fresh pork

Cold Foods

41°F (5°C) or below

  • Dairy products
  • Fresh produce
  • Prepared salads
  • Deli meats

Personal Hygiene Standards

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water

Use hand sanitizer between hand washing when necessary

Wear clean aprons and change when soiled

Keep fingernails short and clean - no nail polish

Tie back long hair and use hair restraints

Remove jewelry except plain wedding ring

Cover cuts and wounds with waterproof bandages

Stay home when sick - no exceptions

Cleaning & Sanitizing Procedures

Follow the 5-step process for all food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils:

1

Pre-Rinse

Remove visible food particles and debris

Immediately after use

2

Wash

Clean with hot soapy water (110°F minimum)

2-3 minutes scrubbing

3

Rinse

Remove all soap residue with clean water

30 seconds

4

Sanitize

Apply approved sanitizer (chlorine, quaternary ammonium, or iodine)

Contact time per manufacturer

5

Air Dry

Allow to air dry completely - do not towel dry

Until completely dry

Required Documentation

Daily Records You Must Keep:

Temperature Logs

  • • Refrigerator/freezer temperatures (2x daily)
  • • Hot holding temperatures
  • • Cooking temperatures
  • • Reheating temperatures

Cleaning Records

  • • Daily cleaning checklists
  • • Sanitizer concentration tests
  • • Deep cleaning schedules
  • • Equipment maintenance logs

Download HACCP Templates

Get our complete set of HACCP forms, temperature logs, and cleaning checklists to ensure compliance.

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