What is the role of documentation in HACCP?

• A. Documentation provides evidence of monitoring, corrective actions, and verification
• B. Documentation is optional
• C. Documentation replaces CCPs
• D. Documentation is used only for marketing

Answer: (A)

Documentation in HACCP is the evidence trail showing that monitoring is performed, deviations are handled with corrective actions, and verification activities are completed. It captures monitoring results at each critical control point, records any deviations and the corrective steps taken to fix them, and logs verification activities such as calibration or validation checks. This makes the HACCP plan auditable, supports traceability, and demonstrates compliance and ongoing improvement. CCPs are the actual control points, while documentation records what happens at those points and how issues are addressed; it is not optional and is not used solely for marketing.