Certified HACCP Auditor Practice Exam

What does deviation refer to in a HACCP context?

1. A departure from a set of standards or specifications

2. A common practice in food manufacturing

3. A type of food contamination

4. A method of risk assessment

The correct answer is: A departure from a set of standards or specifications

In the context of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), deviation refers to a departure from established critical limits set for a food safety process. Each critical control point in a HACCP plan has specific parameters that must be met to ensure food safety, such as temperature, time, pH, or moisture levels. If these parameters are not adhered to—meaning that there is a deviation—this can lead to potential food safety hazards. Recognizing a deviation is crucial as it signals that the control mechanism is not functioning as intended, which could jeopardize the safety of the food product. The HACCP plan includes measures for monitoring these critical limits, and when a deviation occurs, it prompts corrective actions to mitigate risks and re-establish control. In contrast, common practices in food manufacturing, types of food contamination, or methods of risk assessment do not specifically denote a failure to meet established standards. Thus, deviation is specifically linked to the failure to maintain the controls that ensure food safety according to HACCP protocols.