What is an example of a critical limit for HACCP in kitchen operations?

• A. Cooking chicken to 165 F
• B. Rotating stock weekly
• C. Checking supplier certificates
• D. Recording daily temperatures

Answer: (A)

Critical limits are the specific, measurable values that must be met at a critical control point to prevent, eliminate, or reduce a food safety hazard. Cooking chicken to 165°F is the best example because reaching that internal temperature is a defined threshold that reliably kills harmful bacteria like Salmonella. It’s testable with a thermometer, and if the temperature isn’t reached, the process is considered out of control and corrective action is taken (continue cooking to reach 165°F or discard).

The other options don’t fit as a critical limit: rotating stock weekly is an inventory practice, not a control point parameter for a hazard; checking supplier certificates relates to verification or prerequisite programs rather than a process threshold at a CCP; recording daily temperatures is monitoring or record-keeping, not the actual threshold that defines control.