HACCP Certification
About HACCP Certification
HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety and a certification process that evaluates the extent of compliance to a specific standard. The overall objective is to ensure food safety from production, handling and storage. HACCP focuses on assessing hazards and risks associated with the processing of foods for safer products which are free from biological, chemical or physical hazards.
HACCP is an acronym for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, which was developed by NASA to prevent spacecraft contamination. It has since been applied to the food industry and was launched in the 1980’s by Codex Alimentarius Commission (an international food safety body) to reduce the number of food-related illnesses and deaths across the world, and to protect consumers from economic losses due to unsafe food.
HACCP Food Safety Certification is a process whereby a company is audited to assess its ability to produce food safely and in compliance with the appropriate standards. The assessment takes into consideration both existing practices as well as potential hazards that may be faced by the company during operations. In order for a company to be certified, it must meet all of the requirements set out in their chosen standard.
HACCP Certification in Ghana
In the European Union, food safety management systems have been used to ensure that food produced have met certain standards of quality and safety. The standard is implemented in accordance with the ISO 22000 series which requires certification from a third party organization accredited by a recognized accreditation body such as SGS. In order for bodies to become accredited, they must demonstrate the necessary knowledge and experience in food safety management systems, auditing and training.
HACCP Certification Cost
The HACCP certification cost differs from one organization to another and is based on factors such as:
- The number of sites to be assessed
- The geographical location of the site(s)
The role of HACCP certification in Ghana
HACCP training and certification helps your company identify, control and monitor the hazards that might occur in the production process. HACCP certification is a system designed to make sure food product makes it from safe sources to processing plants without compromising safety. It has come to take a prominent role in ensuring food safety for all the clients of an organization, including consumers. HACCP certification not only increases consumer confidence but also helps you control your quality costs through efficient production methods, improvement of product shelf life and cutting down on wastage.
HACCP Certification Process
It is important to understand the procedures involved when applying for certification. Firstly, you need to determine which HACCP standard best meets your company’s needs. Secondly, draw up a Food Safety Management System (FMS) manual which includes all relevant information about your system. Thirdly, engage an accredited certification body to audit your firm and establish a system to demonstrate that you comply with the standard. Lastly, once your company is accredited it must be re-audited every year by an external party.
HACCP Certification Cost in Ghana
The HACCP certification process is complicated and this leads to high cost of becoming certified. It ranges from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on the complexity of your product and requires a lot of paperwork. The cost can be divided into two parts:
- Application fee – a one-time flat fee for applying to a certification body
- On-Going Certification fees – fees to certify annually or biennially
Contact us for further details at enquiry@iascertification.com