What should be done with any time or temperature deviations?

• A. They must be highlighted and explained on the chart
• B. They should be ignored if minor
• C. They should be noted in a separate file only
• D. They should be reported at end of day

Answer: (A)

Deviations in time or temperature indicate that the process stepped outside its approved limits, so the best practice is to mark that deviation directly on the monitoring chart and explain what happened and what action is required. Keeping the deviation visible on the chart ensures immediate awareness by operators and verifiers, supports fast containment if needed, and provides a clear, traceable record for investigation and verification later. This approach aligns with HACCP principles by documenting incidents, identifying root causes, and recording corrective actions taken to protect safety and quality.

Ignore-the-deviation or hiding it in a separate file would delay recognition and response, and noting it only at the end of the day misses the opportunity to address the issue in real time.