Control measure — Food Safety Glossary

Any action or activity used to prevent, eliminate or reduce a food safety hazard to an acceptable level.

Frequently asked questions

What is a control measure in food safety?

It is any action or activity used to prevent a food safety hazard, eliminate it, or reduce it to an acceptable level, such as cooking, chilling or cleaning.

Is a control measure the same as a critical control point?

No. A control measure is the action that manages a hazard. A critical control point is a step where applying a control measure is essential to keep food safe.

What are common control measures in a kitchen?

Cooking to a safe temperature, cold and hot holding, rapid cooling, cleaning and sanitising, and separating raw and ready to eat foods.

How do I know if a control measure is working?

By monitoring it against a defined limit or method, taking corrective action when it fails, and keeping records as evidence.

Can one hazard have more than one control measure?

Yes. A hazard is often managed by several control measures together, for example cooking, cooling and cold holding all controlling bacterial growth.

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