Critical Limits - Popcorn
I'm looking to implement a HACCP plan at a facility that produced packaged kettle corn and caramel popcorn.
From my analysis I've concluded that unpopped kernels in our product can be a hazard that can be controlled by sifting the popcorn, but I can't find any guidance on what an acceptable critical limit of unpopped kernels in the product would be? Would anyone have any advice or recommendations?
Hi all,
I'm looking to implement a HACCP plan at a facility that produced packaged kettle corn and caramel popcorn.
From my analysis I've concluded that unpopped kernels in our product can be a hazard that can be controlled by sifting the popcorn, but I can't find any guidance on what an acceptable critical limit of unpopped kernels in the product would be? Would anyone have any advice or recommendations?
I'm thinking that would be a quality issue, not a food safety issue that would require a CCP thus the need for Critical Limits.
I think once you've decided it's a CCP, your target has to be zero. It might be a bit back to front but that may influence your decision on whether it is a CCP.
I suppose be pragmatic. Would you do a recall if you found a pack with one unpopped kernal? Do people "expect" to find unpopped kernals? (The expectation is as much of an issue as anything, for example, in olives with stones in, the stones aren't a hazard because people know they're there. In stoned olives where they've been removed, the stones are a hazard.)
Well, as per fish bones, glass, and metal occurrences, I suppose the logical approach is to define the dimensions of a "harmful" unpopped kernel. All the previous items can be characterised by finite tolerances, albeit sometimes related to detection sensitivities.
I can also recall an Australian standard for residual shell fragments of nut in the final, commercialised, sieved product. Was specifically stated to be a non-safety characteristic and a max. count percentage used.
Another risk related factor is whether there exists any historical evidence of documented incidents, eg broken teeth, choking, related to the potential hazard. Are infants a significantly probable consumer ?.
Actually, IMEX, it is almost certain that "official" haccp plans do exist somewhere for this product by now. There was a (distantly) related query for candyfloss posted here a year or so ago. A HACCP plan was available from the "Organisation X of Candyfloss Makers" (for a membership fee).
Rgds / Charles.C
currently i also doing a HACCP Manual on popcorn. Has anyone can share the CCP?
currently i also doing a HACCP Manual on popcorn. Has anyone can share the CCP?
Hi Kamiza,
Maybe browse through the first 2 links in this post within a popcorn thread -