Prerequisite programs — Food Safety Glossary

The basic hygiene practices and conditions that provide the foundation for an effective HACCP or food safety system.

Frequently asked questions

What are prerequisite programs?

They are the basic hygiene practices and conditions, such as cleaning, pest control and personal hygiene, that support a HACCP based food safety system.

How do prerequisites relate to HACCP?

Prerequisites control general hazards so that HACCP can focus on the specific critical control points. HACCP cannot work well without them.

Are prerequisite programs required in Australia?

The practices they cover align with the general requirements in Standard 3.2.2 and the premises requirements in Standard 3.2.3, which apply to food businesses.

What is included in a prerequisite program?

Cleaning and sanitising, pest control, personal hygiene, training, approved suppliers, waste management, water quality and equipment maintenance.

Are prerequisite programs the same as good manufacturing practice?

They overlap. Good hygienic practices and good manufacturing practices are often used to describe the same foundational controls.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) Cleaning and sanitising Pest control Personal hygiene Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements Food safety glossary Food safety guides
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