What is Verification?
Verification is an on-going activity that confirms the HACCP plan is operating as expected. Codex defines verification as “the application of methods, procedures, tests and other evaluations, in addition to monitoring to determine compliance with the HACCP plan”1. Verification must review all elements of the HACCP plan and where appropriate supporting prerequisite programmes.
Frequency of Verification
Verification activities must be scheduled at sufficient intervals to provide credible evidence the HACCP plan is being following continuously. Frequency must be risk-based and acknowledge previous performance. Certification scheme standards may also impose monthly, quarterly and annual scheduling requirements for internal auditing of the HACCP plan and supporting prerequisite programmes. Frequency of verification activities is likely to decrease or even increase over time. A historical review of verification records may justify reducing frequency because findings indicate the HACCP plan is consistently being followed. Whereas inconsistency may warrant an increase in frequency of verification activities.
Verification Approach and Methods
Verification activities must be conducted by competent persons who can detect deviations and deficiencies in the HACCP plan, such as members of the internal quality assurance team or third-party auditors. A certification scheme may also impose a requirement for an internal auditor not to compromise the verification process by verifying their own work. Verification in practice can involve the following activities2:
- Targeted physical, chemical and/or microbiological testing of intermediate and finished product samples2.
- Surface swabbing of hardest to clean areas in equipment and the production facility
- reviewing HACCP plan and prerequisite programme documentation and records
- reviewing calibration of equipment
- competency checks to verify procedures are performed correctly by staff
- supplier audits to confirm compliance with expected standards
- trend analysis of HACCP plan deviations and customer complaints
- reviewing previous customer and third-party audits
Verification Documentation and Records
Verification activities must be documented within the HACCP plan. Details should outline methods, frequency, personnel or organisations and describe or reference procedures. Verification records provide evidence that activities were conducted as per schedule and where appropriate necessary corrective and preventive action was implemented. Information within these records should include methods, date, time, persons and/organisations responsible, test results or findings and where appropriate actions taken.
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References
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (unknown). Section 3 – THE HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINT (HACCP) SYSTEM [online]. Available at: http://www.fao.org/3/w8088e/w8088e05.htm#module%2010%20%20%20establish%20corrective%20actions%20%20%20task%2010principle%205 Accessed on 01/11/20
- Food Standards Agency (2020). [Online]. Available at: https://myhaccp.food.gov.uk/ Accessed on 01/11/20