Who Can Develop Your Food Safety Plan?

• A food safety plan is a crucial document that outlines the procedures and protocols your business follows to ensure the safety of the food you produce or serve. It acts as a roadmap for preventing foodborne illness outbreaks, which can have devastating consequences for consumers and your business.  A well-crafted plan minimizes the risk of contamination by identifying potential hazards at each stage of the food chain, from receiving ingredients to storage, preparation, and serving.  Furthermore, having a documented food safety plan demonstrates your commitment to regulatory compliance and can protect your brand reputation in the event of an issue.

There are two main options for who can develop a food safety plan

• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI): This is the ideal scenario, according to regulations set by the FDA in the US. A PCQI is someone with the specific knowledge and experience to create a food safety plan. They can be someone you hire as a consultant or a qualified employee within your company. They need to have a combination of education, training, and experience in food safety systems.

• Food facility owner/operator: While a PCQI is the recommended approach, there are situations where a food facility owner or operator might develop their own food safety plan. This is typically only advisable for very low-risk operations with limited food processing or handling.  However, it's critical to understand that  developing a compliant and effective plan requires a strong foundation in food safety principles.  Operators considering this route should undertake relevant training and possess  experience in safe food handling practices.   Even in such cases, consulting with a food safety professional for guidance on specific elements of the plan is highly recommended.

What a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Does

• A Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) is a food safety professional with the specialized knowledge and experience required to develop and oversee a food safety plan that meets the requirements set forth by the FDA.  They possess a combination of education, training, and experience in areas like hazard analysis, risk-based preventive controls, and sanitation procedures.  

• A PCQI can guide you through the process of identifying potential hazards in your specific operation, establish control measures to mitigate those risks, and implement a monitoring system to verify the effectiveness of your plan.  By partnering with a PCQI, you gain the expertise necessary to create a robust food safety plan that safeguards your consumers and your business.

Additional Resources for Food Safety Plans

• Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to assist with developing and implementing a food safety plan. The FDA's Food Safety Plan Builder is a free online tool that guides you through the process step-by-step. It provides templates, checklists, and resources to help  you  tailor a plan to your specific operation.  Additionally, many reputable organizations including EnsureIQ.com offer food safety training and certification programs to equip  individuals  with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure safe food handling practices.

Become PCQI certified - 100% online

Whether you're aspiring to become PCQI certified, striving to meet FSMA compliance, or enhancing your food safety system with other GFSI certifications, explore EnsureIQ's comprehensive 100% online PCQI training. It is fully web-based and comes with certifications included at no additional cost.

Additionally, discover our wide range of online certification courses, which include HACCP certification, allergen awareness training, HACCP refresher and more. These courses are available in both English and Spanish, providing a comprehensive learning experience to suit your preferences and needs.