What is the fourth HACCP principle?

• A. Establish monitoring procedures
• B. Establish corrective actions
• C. Establish verification procedures
• D. Establish record-keeping and documentation procedures

Answer: (A)

Monitoring procedures are the key activity that keeps a critical control point under control. This principle means regularly checking and recording measurements or observations to verify that the CCP stays within its established critical limits. By having a defined monitoring plan—who checks, how often, what methods or instruments are used, and how records are kept—you can detect any drift or deviation as soon as it happens and take timely actions to prevent a hazardous product from forming.

This ongoing surveillance is what makes the other parts of the HACCP plan effective. Corrective actions come into play when a monitoring result shows a deviation, guiding you on how to bring the process back into control. Verification procedures confirm that the monitoring and other aspects of the plan are functioning correctly, and record-keeping documents all monitoring data and actions for traceability. The fourth principle specifically focuses on the routine checks that provide the real-time assurance the process remains within safe limits.