What should be the frequency of affirmative step procedures (i.e., How often should on-site audit visits be made or how often should a product be tested)?
The regulation does not specify frequency of the affirmative steps. Frequency should be as often as necessary to provide the importer confidence that the foreign processor is meeting the requirements of the seafood HACCP regulation. Frequency will vary with circumstances such as: the number and type of hazards associated with the product, the importer’s familiarity with and confidence in the foreign processor, the particular affirmative step being undertaken, etc. It may be prudent to check more frequently initially and reduce the frequency over time, if initial results are satisfactory.
