CHA Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A HACCP auditor reviews a hazard analysis that lists 'broken glass from overhead lights' as a physical hazard. Which preventive measure is most appropriate?
- Installing shatter-resistant or shielded lighting fixtures (Correct answer)
- Conducting daily visual inspections of the floor only
- Requiring employees to wear safety glasses
- Limiting production hours to daylight
Correct answer: Installing shatter-resistant or shielded lighting fixtures
Shatter-resistant or shielded lighting prevents glass fragments from entering food if a bulb breaks, directly addressing the source of the hazard.
Question 2: Which of the following is a chemical hazard that can develop naturally in certain fish species if the fish is temperature-abused post-harvest?
- Histamine (scombrotoxin) (Correct answer)
- Aflatoxin
- Patulin
- Ochratoxin A
Correct answer: Histamine (scombrotoxin)
Histamine (scombrotoxin) forms when bacteria decarboxylate histidine in scombroid fish (tuna, mahi-mahi) held at improper temperatures.
Question 3: In a hazard analysis decision tree, the question 'Does a control measure exist for the identified hazard?' leads to what outcome if the answer is 'No'?
- Modify the process or product so that a control measure can be applied (Correct answer)
- Automatically classify the step as a CCP
- Remove the hazard from the analysis
- Transfer responsibility to the supplier
Correct answer: Modify the process or product so that a control measure can be applied
If no control measure exists, the HACCP team must determine whether process or product modification is necessary to address the significant hazard.
Question 4: A mycotoxin such as aflatoxin is best categorized under which hazard type during HACCP hazard analysis?
- Chemical — naturally occurring toxin (Correct answer)
- Biological — mold
- Physical — fungal contaminant
- Chemical — processing-induced
Correct answer: Chemical — naturally occurring toxin
Mycotoxins like aflatoxin are chemical hazards because they are toxic compounds produced by molds, not the mold organisms themselves.
Question 5: When using a risk matrix to prioritize hazards, which combination warrants the highest priority for control?
- High severity and high likelihood (Correct answer)
- Low severity and high likelihood
- High severity and low likelihood
- Low severity and low likelihood
Correct answer: High severity and high likelihood
Hazards that are both highly severe and highly likely to occur represent the greatest risk and must receive immediate control priority.
Question 6: Which step in the HACCP hazard analysis process involves reviewing ingredient specifications, flow diagrams, and processing parameters?
- Gathering preliminary information before listing potential hazards (Correct answer)
- Establishing critical limits
- Verifying corrective actions
- Conducting internal audits
Correct answer: Gathering preliminary information before listing potential hazards
Gathering preliminary information — including ingredient data, flow diagrams, and process parameters — provides the foundation for accurately identifying potential hazards.
Question 7: A juice manufacturer performs hazard analysis for apple juice. Which parasitic hazard was implicated in a major outbreak linked to unpasteurized apple juice and must be evaluated?
- Cryptosporidium parvum (Correct answer)
- Giardia lamblia
- Toxoplasma gondii
- Cyclospora cayetanensis
Correct answer: Cryptosporidium parvum
Cryptosporidium parvum was implicated in a 1996 outbreak linked to unpasteurized Odwalla apple juice, making it a relevant hazard in juice HACCP plans.
CHA Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment 3
A HACCP auditor reviews a hazard analysis that lists 'broken glass from overhead lights' as a physical hazard.
Which preventive measure is most appropriate?