60 years HACCP - how it all began
Space research provided the impetus
HACCP is the abbreviation for: hazard analysis and Critical Control Points. Literally translated: Hazard analysis and critical control points. The concept serves to avoid dangers in connection with the production of food, which can lead to a disease or injury of consumers.
Photo by SpaceX on Unsplash
It's hard to believe, but this concept was developed by NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), founded in 1958, commissioned the creation of guidelines for the production, storage and processing of 100% safe space food in 1959. The concepts used at that time to avoid errors originated in mechanical engineering and were not suitable for food production. For this reason it was decided to take a preventive approach, which was made transparent and comprehensible through very precise documentation.
The first difficulties were the identification of hazards and their risk assessment; there was simply a lack of experience. It took until 1971 for the program to get its name, under which it is still known today.
In the 1970s and 1980s, various national and international organisations became aware of the new HACCP concept. Among others, the World Health Organization (WHO). Considerations were made as to whether and in what form a general application of the HACCP concept in food production would be possible. The HACCP concept has been further developed. Initially three became six and later seven principles. Later, the seven principles were adopted by the WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. They are:
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hazard analysis
critical control points
limit values
continuous monitoring
corrective measures
documentation
regular verification
Many states and communities of states have now enshrined the HACCP concept in law. In the European Union (EU), the obligation to comply with HACCP is regulated by Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on food hygiene. The regulation is part of the so-called "hygiene package" of the EU and has been binding for all member states since 1 January 2006.
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