Hazard analysis — Food Safety Glossary

The process of identifying the food safety hazards in a process and deciding which ones must be controlled.

Frequently asked questions

What is hazard analysis in food safety?

It is the HACCP step of identifying the biological, chemical and physical hazards at each stage of a process and deciding which are significant enough to require control.

What are the three types of food safety hazard?

Biological hazards such as bacteria and viruses, chemical hazards such as cleaning residues and allergens, and physical hazards such as glass, metal or plastic.

How is hazard analysis different from risk assessment?

Hazard analysis identifies what hazards exist and which are significant, while risk assessment weighs how likely a hazard is and how severe its consequences would be.

Does hazard analysis control hazards?

No. Hazard analysis identifies the hazards that need controlling. Control measures and critical control points are what actually manage them.

Who should carry out a hazard analysis?

Someone who understands the business's processes and food safety, often the food safety supervisor or manager, sometimes with external help for complex operations.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) Risk assessment Control measure Critical control point (CCP) Food Safety Program Food safety glossary Food safety guides
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