For RLTO hazards, the HACCP plan requires addressing with CCPs at that step or later.

• A. Each RLTO hazard falls either in the chemical or physical categories
• B. Each RLTO hazard is addressed by sanitation procedures in the SSOP
• C. Each RLTO hazard must be addressed by prerequisite or other supporting programs
• D. Each RLTO hazard must be addressed by one or more CCPs at that step or later

Answer: (D)

RLTO hazards are treated as significant hazards that must be controlled at a critical point in the process. In HACCP, every significant hazard should have a control point where a critical limit can be applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce that hazard to an acceptable level. If the hazard isn’t controlled at the step where it arises, there must be a CCP downstream to ensure its control, so the plan guarantees protection of the product. Sanitation procedures or SSOPs cover general cleaning and hygiene but do not provide the specific, verifiable control of a hazard with a defined critical limit at a particular step. Prerequisite programs support the overall system but aren’t sufficient by themselves to guarantee control of a RLTO hazard at a decisive point. Therefore, controlling each RLTO hazard with one or more CCPs at that step or later is the correct approach.