Critical control point
Critical Control Point is the point where the failure of Standard Operation Procedure could cause harm to customers and to the business, or even loss of the business itself. It is a point, step or procedure at which controls can be applied and a food safety hazard can be prevented, eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels. The most common CCP is cooking, where food safety managers designate critical limits. CCP identification is also an important step in risk and reliability analysis for water treatment processes.
Food in cooking
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration establishes minimum internal temperatures for cooked foods. These values can be superseded by state or local health code requirements, but they cannot be below the FDA limits. Temperatures should be measured with a probe thermometer in the thickest part of meats, or the center of other dishes, avoiding bones and container sides. Minimum internal temperatures are set as follows:165 °F for 15 seconds
- Poultry
- Stuffed meats, fish, poultry, and pasta
- Any previously cooked foods that are reheated from a temperature below 135 °F, provided they have been refrigerated or warm less than 2 hours
- Any potentially hazardous foods cooked in a microwave, such as poultry, meat, fish, or eggs
- Ground meats
- Injected meats
- Ground or minced fish
- Eggs that will be held for a length of time before eaten
- Steaks and chops such as beef, pork, veal, and lamb
- Fish
- Eggs cooked for immediate service
- Roasts
- Cooked fruits or vegetables that will be held for a length of time before eaten
- Any commercially processed, ready-to-eat foods that will be held for a length of time before eaten