Question

When identifying a Critical Control Point (CCP) using a Decision Tree, what is the primary question asked to determine if a step is a CCP?

• A. Is the hazard a biological one
• B. Will a subsequent hazard eliminate the identified hazard
• C. Does a hazard exist at this step
• D. Is the step profitable for the business

Hint:

A step is only a CCP if there is no subsequent step in the processing line that can eliminate or safely reduce the hazard.
If a subsequent cooking step kills the bacteria, then the raw handling step is usually not a CCP for that biological hazard.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question relates to the application of the HACCP Decision Tree, which is a sequence of logical questions used to determine whether a process step is a Critical Control Point (CCP) for a given hazard.

Step 2: Key Concepts and Approach:
The Codex Alimentarius CCP Decision Tree asks up to four consecutive questions at each processing step where a significant hazard has been identified.
The goal is to determine if a specific step is the last place where control can be applied to keep a hazard from reaching the consumer.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• The Questions in the Decision Tree:
* Question 1: Do preventive control measures exist for the identified hazard?
* Question 2: Is this step specifically designed to eliminate or reduce the likely occurrence of a hazard to an acceptable level?
* Question 3: Could contamination with the identified hazard occur in excess of acceptable levels?
* Question 4: Will a subsequent step or process eliminate the identified hazard or reduce its likely occurrence to an acceptable level?

• Analysis of Option (B): Option (B) contains a minor typographical error common in exams (using the word "hazard" instead of "step" or "process"), representing the fourth question of the decision tree.
If a subsequent step in the process (like cooking or pasteurization) will eliminate the hazard, then the current step is not a CCP.
However, if no subsequent step can eliminate the hazard, then the current step is a Critical Control Point.

• Irrelevant Options: Whether a hazard is biological (A), simply exists (C), or if the step is profitable (D) are not the primary qualifying questions for establishing a CCP.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The key question is whether a subsequent step/process will eliminate the identified hazard.