HACCP decision tree explanation

Dear all,

I have a small confusion with question number 05 in HACCP decision tree. It asks " Is the control measure used in combination with another control measure to ensure elimination or reduction of the hazard (synergistic effect)?"

As I bold in the sentence, I would like to clarify real meaning of that. You all are much appreciated if you can explain it with a simple example.

Thank you in advance. 

Dear all,

 

I have a small confusion with question number 05 in HACCP decision tree. It asks " Is the control measure used in combination with another control measure to ensure elimination or reduction of the hazard (synergistic effect)?"

 

As I bold in the sentence, I would like to clarify real meaning of that. You all are much appreciated if you can explain it with a simple example.

 

Thank you in advance. 

Hi tharinduth,

Which Food Standard / Decision Tree are you referring to ? Please clarify.

Can you attach the decision tree involved to a post ?

Dear Charles,

Please refer attached photograph. This was taken from Sri Lanka Standard Institution.

Thank you in advance.

I have to apologise but I think that's the most woolly worded CCP decision tree I've ever read!

Ok, I will explain it as I understand it and I do disagree with your decision tree on this.  It is possible to have controls for a specific hazard which work together to achieve the overall control.  Some examples of this may be things like control of sieves to prevent metal contamination and use of a metal detector.  It doesn't mean however, that either of these are automatically oPRPs or CCPs (either could be or neither).

You may also have a cooking process where a sauce is cooked but then later the whole meal is pasteurised.  In that case, both would reduce microbiological loading, I would argue the pasteurisation is probably going to be the CCP but the first cooking process may or may not be an oPRP as the pasteurisation process may be so effective as to render the first cooking process pretty pointless apart from achieving the quality required; the micro reduction may be incidental.

Hi tharinduth,

Thks for the picture.

I anticipate yr query is related to differentiating CCPs/OPRPs for iso22000 or fssc22000.

I deduce the tree is intended to respond to clause 7.4.4 (a-g) in iso22000 standard

I agree with GMO that the tree is not very satisfactory although it does cover several/most  parts of clause 7.4.4(a-g).  IMO there are better iso22000-trees previously posted here..

Yr query (I assume it is ISO-oriented) is IMO a complicated one to answer. i have attempted below.

Synergy is the interaction of two or more Hurdles or Microbiocidal Steps so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Regarding the occurrence of combination control measures (CMs) you can find iso-decision trees having  at least 3 (maybe more) different approaches to determine whether a combination CM  is a  CCP or OPRP, all methods seem to be acceptable to auditors   –

(a) a single CM which achieves control is regarded as favouring a CCP while a combination CM which achieves the same control (ie “works”) is regarded as “favoring” a OPRP. Such trees may ignore mention of  synergy.

(b) a single CM whch achieves control is regarded as no different to a combination CM, ie either may ultimately be a CCP or OPRP depending on the other ISO-criteria. Such trees may ignore mention of synergy.

(c) a single CM which achieves control is regarded as “favoring” a CCP while a combination CM is regarded as favoring a OPRP but only  IF the combination CM  “involves”  Synergy. Such trees will probably mention Synergy. ((c) is a restricted version of (a))

(d) a 4th possibility which I think can occur  in practice (see link below) could be where a single CM might  “work” but  a combined CM works “better” due to synergy. Afaik there are so far no specific iso-decision trees for such a scenario. :smile:

Your tree appears to be similar to type (c) above.

It is also possible to find some iso-analyses which consider the occurrence of Synergy favors a CCP (!) but I think these are in the minority.

Welcome to the world of ISO-HACCP !

I can probably direct you to published examples of all the above  if you  need.

If you would like to see a brief  illustration of “synergy” (sort of  type (d) above) can try the attachment/link in this post –

http://www.ifsqn.com...d-g/#entry85830

PS - if the query was not iso-oriented, you will need to clarify further. :smile: