What is a self-control plan?
A self-control plan is a document that describes how your business ensures food safety. It is mandatory for all food handlers in Estonia and must comply with HACCP principles.
Why is it necessary?
A self-control plan is not just a legal requirement - it's your business insurance. The right plan helps:
- Prevent food poisoning
- Maintain customer trust
- Successfully pass PTA inspections
- Reduce costs through problem prevention
7 steps to creating a successful plan
1. Hazard analysis
Start by mapping your food handling processes. Identify all possible hazards:
- Biological hazards (bacteria, viruses, parasites)
- Chemical hazards (cleaning agents, allergens)
- Physical hazards (glass shards, plastic)
2. Critical Control Points (CCP)
Find points in the process where you can control hazards. For example:
- Cooking food (temperature)
- Cooling
- Storage
3. Setting critical limits
Set clear critical limits for each CCP. For example:
- Ground meat must be cooked to at least 75°C
- Refrigerator must be below 5°C
4. Monitoring procedures
Describe how and how often you perform checks:
- Temperature measurement
- Visual inspection
- Documentation
5. Corrective actions
Plan ahead what you'll do if something goes wrong:
- Food disposal
- Equipment cleaning
- Staff training
6. Verification
Regularly check if your system is working:
- Internal audits
- Laboratory tests
- Document reviews
7. Documentation
Keep everything in writing:
- Temperature logs
- Cleaning schedules
- Supplier documents
- Training certificates
Common mistakes
Too complex plan - Keep it simple and trackable
Inadequate documentation - If it's not written down, it didn't happen
Not involving staff - The team needs to know their role
Forgetting updates - The plan must evolve with your business
When do you need help?
If you:
- Are starting a new food service business
- Are expanding your operations
- PTA has noted deficiencies
- Want to review your plan
OTOH helps you create a simple and working self-control plan that meets all requirements without unnecessary bureaucracy.
Next steps
- Assess your current situation
- Identify deficiencies
- Contact us for a free consultation
- We'll start creating your plan
A self-control plan doesn't have to be complicated. Our goal is to make it simple and practical so you can focus on your core business - preparing good food.