Are you asking “How Long Does HACCP Certification Last“?. It is actually a valid question as some certifications expires after 3 years and others after 5 years.
How Long Does HACCP Certification Last
However, the HACCP certification has no expiry date. So if you are thinking How Long Does HACCP Certification Last, just know that it doesn’t have an expiry date.
This question equally came up in the International Food Safety & Quality Network (IFSQN), here is the response given by a member:
It is important to keep learning and growing. I do not think it is required to take the HACCP Course again unless you just want to or you are under FDA and a lot of changes have happened over the last few years with their expectations so it might be good to take a course targeted to their requirements. However their are other options to showing you are staying up-to-date. There are Advanced HACCP Classes as well as Verification and Validation Classes. There are free webinars all the time, this forum is great for providing them. Suggest you keep a log of any training you attend to include webinars and any blogs or newsletters, etc. You can use that as your support that you are trying to stay up-to-date with the industry and trying to learn and grow.
READ: 6 Websites To Get HACCP Certification Online
In as much as the certification does not have an expiry date, there may be need for retraining based on employer, insurance, auditor, client, local or state requirements. It can be stated that retraining is required after 3 years, after 5 years, after 7years, etc. It is strictly on their discretion, but is not a legal term.
When Is HACCP Refresher Training Required
As stated above, though the HACCP certification does not expire, there may be scenarios that could warrant a refresher training. Here are five scenarios where HACCP refresher training is required:
1. Regulatory Updates: When there are changes in food safety regulations or standards at the local, national, or international level, individuals responsible for HACCP implementation and compliance need refresher training to understand and adhere to the updated requirements.
2. Personnel Changes: When there is a turnover in staff or key personnel responsible for HACCP, refresher training is essential to ensure that new employees understand and follow the HACCP plan. This is also important when individuals with HACCP responsibilities change roles within the organization.
3. Process Changes: If there are significant changes in food processing, equipment, or ingredients, HACCP refresher training is necessary to assess how these changes may affect food safety risks and to update the HACCP plan accordingly.
4. Incident or Non-conformance Occurrences: After a food safety incident or a non-conformance event, it is crucial to conduct HACCP refresher training to review the incident, identify the root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions to prevent future occurrences.
5. Periodic Review: Regardless of external factors, it is good practice to conduct periodic reviews of the HACCP plan and the overall food safety program. These reviews help identify any gaps, inefficiencies, or areas for improvement, and refresher training can be scheduled as part of this ongoing evaluation process.
READ: What is Critical Control Point in HACCP
HACCP refresher training ensures that individuals remain knowledgeable about potential hazards, critical control points, monitoring procedures, and corrective actions in their specific food handling processes. This ongoing education helps maintain the effectiveness of the HACCP system and contributes to overall food safety.
