This table is a an example of a portion of a HACCP plan relating to the control of pathogen growth and toxin formation as a result of time/temperature abuse for a processor of crabmeat, using time/temperature control. It is provided for illustrative purposes only.

Updated: 7/16/97

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)
Critical Control Point (CCP) Significant Hazard Critical Limits for each Preventive Measure Monitoring Corrective Action(s) Records Verification
What How Frequency Who
Cooked crab cooler Pathogen growth and toxin formation Crabs cooled from 140°F to 70°F in 2 hrs and 70°F to 40°F in 4 more hrs. Cooked crab internal temperature Dial thermometer in marked batches of cooked crabs Start marked batch appx. every two hours during cooking Production supervisor Move part of load to alternate cooler and/or add ice Hold and evaluate based on total time/temperature exposure Production record Check accuracy of data logger once per day; Check accuracy of dial thermometer once per month;
Cooler maintained at or below 40°F after cooling completed Cooler temperature Digital time/ temperature data logger Continuous with visual check once per day Production supervisor Same Data logger printout Review monitoring, corrective action and verification records weekly
Backing Pathogen growth and toxin formation No more than 2 hrs. cumulative time during backing, picking and packing Time of product exposure to unrefrigerated conditions Visual observation of marked containers Start marked container appx. every two hours during backing Production supervisor Immediately ice product or move to cooler Hold and evaluate based on total time/temperature exposure Production record Review monitoring and corrective action records weekly
Backed crab cooler Pathogen growth and toxin formation Cooler maintained at or below 40°F Cooler temperature Digital time/ temperature data logger Continuous with visual check once per day Production supervisor Move to alternate cooler and/or add ice Hold and evaluate based on total time/temperature exposure Data logger printout Check accuracy of data logger once per day; Review monitoring, corrective action, and verification records weekly
Picking Pathogen growth and toxin formation No more than 2 hrs. cumulative time during backing, picking, and packing Time of product exposure to unrefrigerated conditions Visual observation of marked containers Start marked container appx. every two hours during picking Production supervisor Immediately ice product or move to cooler Hold and evaluate based on total time/temperature exposure Production record Review monitoring and corrective action records weekly
Packing Pathogen growth and toxin formation No more than 2 hrs. cumulative time during backing, picking, and packing Time of product exposure to unrefrigerated conditions Visual observation of marked containers Start marked container appx. every two hours during picking Production supervisor Immediately ice product or move to cooler Hold and evaluate based on total time/temperature exposure Production record Review monitoring and corrective action records weekly
Shipping Pathogen growth and toxin formation Finished product containers completely surrounded with ice Quantity of ice Visual observation Each case immediately before shipping Shipping employee Re-ice Hold and evaluate based on total time/temperature exposure Shipping record Review monitoring and corrective action records weekly

FDA. 1996. Pathogen Growth & Toxin Formation (Other than Clostridium botulinum) as a Result of Time/Temperature Abuse(A Biological Hazard). Ch. 12, In Fish and Fishery Products Hazards & Controls Guide: First Edition. 117-131. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Seafood, Washington, DC.


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