Food Safety Programs

What is a Food Safety Program?

A food safety program is a set of documented procedures for controlling the food safety hazards that may occur at a business in the course of producing and handling food.

It is an important tool to help businesses handle, process, or sell potentially hazardous foods. This helps maintain safe food-handling practices and protects public health.

Food safety programs must:

• identify potential hazards that may occur in all food handling operations carried out in the business

• identify where these hazards can be controlled

• monitor these control methods

• provide corrective actions when a hazard is found to be not under the control

• establish, document, and verify detailed pre-requisite programs

• be regularly reviewed for adequacy (at least every 12 months).   

Does my business need a Food Safety Program?

Not necessarily. Only certain high risk food businesses are required to have food safety program. Food Safety Program requirements vary depending on which state or territory your business is registered or licensed.  

Contact your local, state, or territory food authority (food enforcement agency) to determine what the food safety requirements are for your business or find out how they can assist you.