Of course - PRPs are integral control mechanisms for all food safety management systems. I think ISO22000 first formalised the terminology. Let’s not argue semantics and get off track. The OP wanted to understand the difference between CCP / PRP / oPRP.
No confusion here.
(q1) I think it’s pretty clear: PRPs, oPRPs and CCPs control identified significant hazards/risks.
(q2) PRPs control hazards outside the process, e.g. pest control, approved supplier program.
(q3) oPRPs are one-off controls of hazards that do not vary, within the process, e.g. ATP swabs and/or allergen swabs to verify cleanliness before starting the process.
(q4) CCPs are monitored to control hazards that can vary in the process, e.g. time/temperature of a thermal process.
Hi Charles,
The ISO22000 Standard is an international standard - yours is the same version as mine, written in English (admittedly comprehension varies). It may be that my understanding has evolved because I audit FSSC22000, BRC and SQF, but this is a widely accepted (in Australia - can’t speak for the rest of the world) interpretation of the terminology used in the ISO22000 Standard.
I think the difference between PCs and CPs should be a separate discussion.
Hi Evan,
A few comments.
Semantics - the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text.
Evolve - develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form. Synonyms: develop, progress, advance.
IMO semantics can matter. Especially where (IMO) a highly confused topic such as in this thread is concerned.
With respect to (q1-4) above I believe it matters particularly for the terms PRP, OPRP, significant, Process.
In the context of (q1-4), I interpret "Process" as the operational process given in the Scope for the HACCP Plan.
ISO22000 (2018)(=”iso2”) has IMO introduced some clarity to the (2005) version. (And some further confusions which I won't discuss here).
I am not aware of any official iso statements but I suspect that portions of the 2nd (2014) version of iso22004, had foreknowledge of some of the likely changes in iso2. (Both revisions sure took long enough to cogitate over !)
Regarding “clarity” there are some new/modified definitions-requirements in iso2, eg –
(a)
Significant food safety hazard - food safety hazard identified through the hazard assessment, which needs to be controlled by control measures.
NB - iso22004 has an expanded version -
Significant hazard - biological, chemical or physical hazard, identified through the hazard analysis process, which needs to be controlled at critical control point(s) [CCP(s)], or by operational PRP(s) and/or by combinations thereof.
(b)
Operational prerequisite programme (OPRP) - control measure or combination of control measures applied to prevent or reduce a significant food safety hazard to an acceptable level and where action criterion and measurement or observation enable effective control of the process and/or product.
(c)
Prerequisite programme (PRP) - PRP basic conditions and activities that are necessary within the organization and throughout the food chain to maintain food safety.
The PRPs needed depend on the segment of the food chain in which the organization operates and the type of organization. Examples of equivalent terms are: good agricultural practice (GAP), good veterinary practice (GVP), good manufacturing practice (GMP), good hygiene practice (GHP), good production practice (GPP), good distribution practice (GDP) and good trading practice (GTP).
(d)
8.2.4 When establishing PRP(s) the organization shall consider:
a) construction, lay-out of buildings and associated utilities;
b) lay-out of premises, including zoning, workspace and employee facilities;
c) supplies of air, water, energy and other utilities;
d) pest control, waste and sewage disposal and supporting services;
e) the suitability of equipment and its accessibility for cleaning and maintenance;
f) supplier approval and assurance processes (e.g. raw materials, ingredients, chemicals and packaging);
g) reception of incoming materials, storage, dispatch, transportation and handling of products;
h) measures for the prevention of cross contamination;
i) cleaning and disinfecting;
j) personal hygiene;
k) product information/consumer awareness;
l) others, as appropriate.
I also enclose a snippet from iso22004 (2014) –
(e)
relationship for PRPs, CCPs, OPRPs.png 126.69KB
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(f)
Verification - confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled.
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Regarding (q1-4), the quotes (a-f) suggest some possible conflicts with iso22000, eg –
(q1) : (i) PRP Chronology (see e), (ii) “PRPs control significant hazards” (see e,c,a)
(q2) : (i) “PRPs control hazards outside the process” (see c,d,e)
(q3) : (i) “ OPRP ……e.g. ATP swabs and/or allergen swabs to verify cleanliness before starting the process.” (see f)
So Yes, if (1-4) is representative, I think the Australian interpretation may be rather “special”. Whether it has evolved....?.