,Inspection as the Primary Basis for Food Quality and Safety
Key concept: Limits of inspection-only approaches; value of
measurement data
Stem: A carrier relies solely on visual inspection of a
refrigerated trailer at pickup and release, without recorded
temperature logs. Which is the primary weakness of this
inspection-only approach for food safety compliance?
A. Visual checks are sufficient if drivers are trained.
B. Inspection alone cannot prove the product remained within
safe temperatures throughout transit.
C. Visual inspection can replace container sanitation checks.
D. Inspection-only approaches reduce paperwork and therefore
reduce contamination risk.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Visual inspection at endpoints does not
provide continuous evidence that time-temperature parameters
were maintained during transit; continuous measurement (data
logging) is required for traceability and HACCP verification.
(Chapter 1 — Inspection as the Primary Basis…).
Rationale — A: Training improves inspection quality but does
not generate historic in-transit data needed for verification;
training is necessary but insufficient.
Rationale — C: Visual checks cannot reliably detect
,microbiological or residual contamination; sanitation
verification often requires records and swab/testing.
Rationale — D: Reducing paperwork does not lower
contamination risk; it removes documentation that
demonstrates controls were applied.
Teaching Point: Continuous measurement (data logs) is
essential to verify cold-chain integrity.
2
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — The Need for Technology and
Hard Data to Enter the Certification Arena
Key concept: Role of sensors, data in
certification/GDP/ISO22000
Stem: A food distributor aims to achieve ISO 22000 recognition
for its transport operations. Which change most directly
supports certification?
A. Increasing the frequency of visual vehicle inspections without
adding records.
B. Installing calibrated time-temperature data loggers and
retaining records for verification.
C. Requiring drivers to hand-write temperature checks on loose
paper.
D. Relying on supplier guarantees that product left at correct
temperature.
Correct answer: B
, Rationale — Correct: ISO 22000 and GDP require documented,
verifiable monitoring and control; calibrated data loggers
produce auditable records for certification and HACCP
verification. (Chapter 1 — The Need for Technology…).
Rationale — A: Visual inspections alone lack objective,
auditable data for certification.
Rationale — C: Hand-written checks may be error-prone and
non-traceable; digital calibrated logs are preferred.
Rationale — D: Supplier guarantees do not substitute for
documented monitoring throughout the transport step under
supply-chain risk management.
Teaching Point: Calibrated, retained sensor data is required for
certification and auditability.
3
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — Moving to Measurement and
Causal Analysis
Key concept: Using data to detect root causes of
nonconformances
Stem: A refrigerated trailer reports a 2-hour temperature
excursion mid-transit. Which next step best supports causal
analysis and HACCP corrective action?
A. Immediately discard the product without investigation.
B. Review the trailer’s time-stamped telemetry, route events,
and refrigeration setpoints to identify when and why
Key concept: Limits of inspection-only approaches; value of
measurement data
Stem: A carrier relies solely on visual inspection of a
refrigerated trailer at pickup and release, without recorded
temperature logs. Which is the primary weakness of this
inspection-only approach for food safety compliance?
A. Visual checks are sufficient if drivers are trained.
B. Inspection alone cannot prove the product remained within
safe temperatures throughout transit.
C. Visual inspection can replace container sanitation checks.
D. Inspection-only approaches reduce paperwork and therefore
reduce contamination risk.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Visual inspection at endpoints does not
provide continuous evidence that time-temperature parameters
were maintained during transit; continuous measurement (data
logging) is required for traceability and HACCP verification.
(Chapter 1 — Inspection as the Primary Basis…).
Rationale — A: Training improves inspection quality but does
not generate historic in-transit data needed for verification;
training is necessary but insufficient.
Rationale — C: Visual checks cannot reliably detect
,microbiological or residual contamination; sanitation
verification often requires records and swab/testing.
Rationale — D: Reducing paperwork does not lower
contamination risk; it removes documentation that
demonstrates controls were applied.
Teaching Point: Continuous measurement (data logs) is
essential to verify cold-chain integrity.
2
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — The Need for Technology and
Hard Data to Enter the Certification Arena
Key concept: Role of sensors, data in
certification/GDP/ISO22000
Stem: A food distributor aims to achieve ISO 22000 recognition
for its transport operations. Which change most directly
supports certification?
A. Increasing the frequency of visual vehicle inspections without
adding records.
B. Installing calibrated time-temperature data loggers and
retaining records for verification.
C. Requiring drivers to hand-write temperature checks on loose
paper.
D. Relying on supplier guarantees that product left at correct
temperature.
Correct answer: B
, Rationale — Correct: ISO 22000 and GDP require documented,
verifiable monitoring and control; calibrated data loggers
produce auditable records for certification and HACCP
verification. (Chapter 1 — The Need for Technology…).
Rationale — A: Visual inspections alone lack objective,
auditable data for certification.
Rationale — C: Hand-written checks may be error-prone and
non-traceable; digital calibrated logs are preferred.
Rationale — D: Supplier guarantees do not substitute for
documented monitoring throughout the transport step under
supply-chain risk management.
Teaching Point: Calibrated, retained sensor data is required for
certification and auditability.
3
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — Moving to Measurement and
Causal Analysis
Key concept: Using data to detect root causes of
nonconformances
Stem: A refrigerated trailer reports a 2-hour temperature
excursion mid-transit. Which next step best supports causal
analysis and HACCP corrective action?
A. Immediately discard the product without investigation.
B. Review the trailer’s time-stamped telemetry, route events,
and refrigeration setpoints to identify when and why
