Critical limits establish whether a CCP is in control, and can, therefore, be used to separate acceptable products from unacceptable ones. Critical limits should be measurable or observable and typically use minimum and/or maximum values or critical parameters, such as temperature, time, moisture level, pH, a_w , conveyor belt speed, etc. Critical limits should be scientifically validated to ensure they are capable of controlling hazards to an acceptable level. In many cases, CLs can be validated using available information and existing studies from credible sources.

Consult the guidance document on setting and validating critical limits for each CCP to:

• establish critical limits that are measurable or observable;
• use critical limits to differentiate acceptable from unacceptable products; and
• validate critical limits.

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