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Mastering HACCP: The Advantages of Using Information Technology to Manage HACCP Compliance
by Michael Lewis, EnteGreat

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Paper Overview
Most Food, Beverage, and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers are well-acquainted with the regulations known as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). The seven principles of HACCP provide the framework for establishing manufacturing practices that ensure comprehensive and sustainable food safety. Given that Information Technology (IT) has come to be an essential component of success in manufacturing, companies are beginning to use systems to facilitate aspects of HACCP.

With the right IT functionality, it becomes possible to master the HACCP process, instead of settling for the common goal of simply maintaining adequate compliance. Mastering the process entails using document management systems, electronic work instructions, and automated compliance reporting. This approach makes it possible to dramatically reduce the cost of compliance while substantially increasing accuracy at every step. The cost savings and the greater accuracy occur because the intelligent use of IT reduces both the amount of labor required to achieve compliance and the possibility for human error. The investment in new technology pays for itself and more, because the process can be initially established and then routinely maintained with a much higher degree of efficiency. The key is knowing how to make use of the IT tools currently available. In order to provide a context for a discussion of these IT applications, the first part of this paper summarizes the basic elements of the HACCP process. Then we discuss proven approaches and some best practices for implementing systems support for your HACCP program.

Paper Outline

• Introduction
• The Seven Principles of HACCP
  1. Analyze hazards
  2. Identify critical control points.
  3. Establish critical limits for each control point.
  4. Establish procedures to monitor the critical control points.
  5. Establish corrective actions to be taken if monitoring shows that a critical limit has not been maintained.
  6. Establish procedures to verify that the system is working properly.
  7. Establish effective record-keeping to document the HACCP system.
• IT Applications that Facilitate the HACCP Process
  • Document Management Systems
  • Electronic Work Instructions
  • Automated Compliance Reporting
• Five Keys to a Successful HACCP Program
  1. Establish the return-on-investment (ROI).
  2. Examine the ways that HACCP must interface with existing IT systems.
  3. Recognize that an IT-based HACCP program is a mission-critical application.
  4. Make the HACCP program user-friendly.
  5. Incorporate the HACCP program into a broad vision of bringing value to the business.
• Conclusion

About the Author
Michael Lewis, Principle Consultant for EnteGreat, has over 15 years of experience in Information Technology consulting and system development for the manufacturing sector, including work within the Food and Beverage, Consumer Products, Pulp and Paper, Specialty Chemicals, and Electronics industries. Michael's extensive background in quality, specification, life cycle and manufacturing execution systems has helped companies throughout the industry benefit from manufacturing systems integration within the Enterprise IT environment.

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