2/4/08
Commonly Asked Questions from Small and Very Small Plants on HACCP (5)
Q1: If HACCP records will be maintained on a computer, is a specific software program
required?
A1: No. HACCP records can be maintained on computers, if suitable measures are in place to
ensure that the integrity of the records is maintained, and that the computer records cannot be
altered (9 CFR 417.5(d)).
Q2: Can meat or poultry food products be moved to an off-site location before pre-
shipment review has been conducted?
A2: When the producing establishment maintains control (e.g. product moved to a company
owned and operated cold storage) of the meat/poultry food products, the products may be at a
location other than the official producing establishment, as long as the review of appropriate
documents and compliance with 9 CFR 417.5(c) occurs before the product leaves the control of
the producing establishment.
Q3: If a monitoring procedure consists of taking multiple measurements, are separate
entries required for each measurement (i.e. must each measurement includes a time, date
and initials)?
A3: If the establishment’s HACCP plan lists the monitoring procedure (9 CFR 417.2(c)(4)) and
that monitoring procedure consist of multiple measurements to ensure compliance with the
critical limit, the entry made on the HACCP record should include each of the measurements
made during the monitoring procedure. Only one time and one initial or signature would be
required per 9 CFR 417.5(b) for the monitoring event. The establishment is responsible for
ensuring the accuracy of all measurements, regardless of the number taken.
Q4: Are records generated as part of an establishment’s prerequisite program required to
be reviewed when the establishment performs pre-shipment review?
A4: No, an establishment is not required to review prerequisite program records during pre-
shipment review 9 CFR 417.5(c). However, the records generated under the pre-requisite
program would need to be maintained a