Root cause analysis — Food Safety Glossary

A structured method for finding the underlying reason a food safety problem occurred, not just its symptom.

Frequently asked questions

What is root cause analysis?

It is a structured method for finding the underlying reason a problem occurred, so the real cause can be fixed rather than just the visible symptom.

Why is root cause analysis important in food safety?

Because it stops the same non-conformance recurring by addressing what truly caused it, such as equipment, training or procedure failures.

How is root cause analysis different from corrective action?

Corrective action deals with the immediate problem and affected food. Root cause analysis digs deeper to find and eliminate the underlying cause.

What is a simple root cause analysis technique?

Repeatedly asking why a problem happened, following each answer with another why, until the fundamental cause is reached.

When should a business use root cause analysis?

Especially when a problem recurs or a non-conformance is serious, so that a permanent fix replaces repeated short term responses.

Corrective action Non-conformance Internal audit Due diligence Verification Food safety glossary Food safety guides
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