Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

What is the main focus of the HACCP plan?

1. Employee safety

2. Consumer satisfaction

3. Identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs)

4. Regulatory compliance

The correct answer is: Identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs)

The main focus of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan is to identify Critical Control Points (CCPs) within a food production process. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce a food safety hazard to an acceptable level. The primary aim of the HACCP system is to enhance food safety by systematically evaluating potential hazards and establishing controls to mitigate risks. Identifying these critical points is integral to developing effective food safety management systems. By focusing on CCPs, the HACCP plan allows for targeted monitoring and intervention, leading to a safer food supply and better protection of public health. This systematic approach ensures that potential hazards that could adversely affect food safety are proactively addressed before they reach consumers. While elements such as employee safety, consumer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance are important in the broader context of food service operations, they are not the primary focus of the HACCP plan itself. Instead, the HACCP framework is specifically designed to prioritize food safety through the identification and management of critical points in the production process.