What is the difference between a deviation and a corrective action in HACCP terms?

• A. A deviation is when a critical limit is not met; corrective action is the planned response to bring the process back into control and protect product safety.
• B. A deviation is a planned improvement.
• C. A deviation is the final product disposal; corrective action is the recall.
• D. A deviation is only about labeling; corrective action is about processes.

Answer: (A)

In HACCP, a deviation is the moment when a critical limit is not met at a CCP, meaning control has been lost. A corrective action is the planned response to that deviation to bring the process back into control and protect product safety. It includes what to do with any affected product (hold, rework, reprocess, or discard), the steps to fix the process (adjust equipment, temperatures, or procedures), and how to verify that control has been reestablished and the issue won’t recur. For example, if a pasteurization step doesn’t reach the required temperature and time, the deviation is the loss of control; the corrective action would outline reprocessing or discarding the batch and implementing changes to prevent a repeat.