What documentation is required for HACCP operations according to USDA guidelines?

The requirement for scientific documentation for decision support in HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) operations is essential in ensuring food safety. This type of documentation provides the necessary evidence to justify the decisions made within the HACCP plan. It can include data from scientific studies, risk assessments, and validated processes that guide the establishment of critical limits, monitoring procedures, and corrective actions.

Scientific documentation underpins the rationale for decisions made during the HACCP process by demonstrating that practices are based on sound scientific principles and research. This creates a framework that supports food safety management and compliance with USDA guidelines, allowing for measurable and consistent results in managing food safety hazards.

In contrast to this, while visual evidence of operations, formal training records for employees, and general compliance checklists might be helpful in assessing the overall performance of food safety systems, they do not provide the necessary scientific foundation for the critical decisions that drive HACCP plans. Each of these other options may play a role in ensuring operational success but are not a substitute for the evidential support that scientific documentation provides within HACCP operations.