Critical Control Points and Raising a Family

As a jerky manufacturer, we have to abide by several standards, but of particular importance are the standards identified in a HACCP plan. The FDA defines the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points as a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product. A thorough analysis of the critical control points (CCP) must be made and plans must be put into place to control the potential hazards identified. Simply put, CCP are the times in our process that “microscopic bugs” could contaminate our jerky product. This can have a devastating effect on people if we do not control for it as you can imagine. So we have developed scientifically sound plans to address these areas of concern the CCPs. Not only do we have plans in place but we have proven contingency plans in place to address any deviations. Deviations from the identified plans is cause for concern and must be addressed immediately. If you stay within the parameters identified (and we do), then you can rest assured that the jerky you eat is a safe product and its development is sound, as well as delicious. Striving for consistency is very important. Much can be learned by the essence of such standards set by HACCP. This can carry over into different walks of life. It can be an established as part of almost any development. Let’s take parenting a teen for instance. If a teenager has new request such as attending a particular party, the parents must identify the critical control points of such a request – areas of concern or probable points of mischief. The parent must ask the who, what and where's of the party and continue to analyze it’s control points to identify what is to be expected of the teenager. Once expectations for conduct are established then plans for deviations to the expectations must also be established with the teen. They must know not only what is expected but what the penalty for deviations to the plans will be. In this type of arrangement the teen must be part of the entire development of the plan. It can be a means of putting it all on the table, but more importantly what the teen brings to the table certainly empowers them to remain within the parameters that they themselves identified. It certainly works for trust development. In short terms if an individual commits to what they say they are going to do on a consistent basis then trust can be established, if not then suspicion and doubt ensue. CCP’s and parenting seem to provide a logical framework to deal with areas of concern.