What is the role of monitoring in the HACCP approach?

Monitoring plays a crucial role in the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach as it involves regularly evaluating the effectiveness of control measures put in place to manage food safety risks. Through systematic observations and measurements, monitoring helps to ensure that critical limits at critical control points are being met. This ongoing process allows for timely corrections and adjustments to be made if deviations occur, thus maintaining food safety and ensuring that products do not pose a risk to consumers.

While other factors such as consumer preferences, production goals, and non-compliance instances may be relevant in broader operational contexts, they do not specifically address the primary function of monitoring within the HACCP framework. The emphasis is on maintaining the integrity of food safety controls, making option D the most appropriate choice.