With the release of MS 1480:2025, many food manufacturers are asking an urgent question:

Does our existing HACCP system still comply with the updated Malaysian standard?

The reality is:

• HACCP systems developed under older versions may no longer fully comply

• Gaps often exist even if operations appear unchanged

• Auditors are already aligning expectations to the 2025 revision

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What Is MS 1480:2025 and Why It Matters

MS 1480:2025 is the updated Malaysian Standard for:

• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems

• Food safety management principles aligned with current global practices

The update emphasizes:

• Stronger risk-based thinking

• Clearer hazard justification

• Better system documentation and effectiveness

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Why Existing HACCP Systems May No Longer Be Fully Compliant

Many HACCP plans were:

• Developed years ago

• Based on older interpretations

• Maintained without major revision

MS 1480:2025 raises expectations on:

• How hazards are evaluated

• How controls are justified

• How systems are verified and updated

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Key Areas Where HACCP Systems Commonly Fail After MS 1480:2025

1️⃣ Outdated Hazard Analysis

Common issues include:

• Hazard analysis copied from old templates

• Hazards not linked to actual process flow

• Missing justification for inclusion or exclusion

MS 1480:2025 expects:

• Process-specific hazard identification

• Clear reasoning for hazard significance

• Regular review based on changes and trends

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2️⃣ Weak CCP Determination Logic

Many companies struggle with:

• Over-classifying CCPs

• Inconsistent CCP decision criteria

• Poor explanation of control effectiveness

Under MS 1480:2025:

• CCP decisions must be justified

• Control measures must be technically sound

• Monitoring limits must be evidence-based

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3️⃣ Inadequate Control of Prerequisite Programs (PRPs)

Frequent findings include:

• PRPs documented but not effectively implemented

• Weak cleaning and sanitation records

• Poor pest control trend analysis

• Inconsistent maintenance practices

MS 1480:2025 reinforces that:

• PRPs are the foundation of HACCP

• Weak PRPs undermine the entire system

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4️⃣ Insufficient Verification & Validation

Many HACCP systems:

• Perform verification only during audits

• Lack trend analysis of monitoring records

• Do not validate control measures properly

The updated standard requires:

• Ongoing verification activities

• Evidence that controls work as intended

• Data-driven system review

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5️⃣ Poor Change Management

Changes often overlooked:

• New raw materials

• New suppliers

• Process or equipment changes

• Production scale-up

MS 1480:2025 expects:

• HACCP review triggered by changes

• Updated hazard analysis

• Documented decision-making

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6️⃣ HACCP Team Competency Gaps

Common problems:

• HACCP team members unable to explain decisions

• Over-reliance on consultants

• Lack of refresher training

The updated standard emphasizes:

• Team competency

• Understanding, not memorization

• Active participation in food safety decisions

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How Auditors Are Assessing HACCP After MS 1480:2025

Auditors now focus more on:

• Logic and justification

• Consistency between documents and practice

• Effectiveness of controls

• Real implementation, not paperwork

Typical audit questions include:

• Why is this hazard significant?

• How do you know this control works?

• When was this HACCP plan last reviewed—and why?

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Signs Your HACCP System May No Longer Be Compliant

🚩 HACCP documents have not been revised for years
🚩 CCPs exist “because they always have”
🚩 PRP issues keep repeating
🚩 Staff cannot explain monitoring rationale
🚩 HACCP reviews are audit-driven only

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How to Check HACCP Compliance with MS 1480:2025

Practical Actions for Food Manufacturers

• Review hazard analysis against current operations

• Reassess CCP determination logic

• Strengthen PRP implementation and records

• Verify and validate control measures

• Retrain HACCP team members

• Document system reviews and changes

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MS 1480:2025 and ISO 22000: A Stronger Alignment

MS 1480:2025 aligns more closely with:

• Risk-based food safety management

• Continuous improvement concepts

• ISO 22000 expectations

For companies planning ISO 22000:

• HACCP compliance under MS 1480:2025 is critical

• Weak HACCP systems often lead to ISO audit failures

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Final Thought

MS 1480:2025 is not just a document update—it raises the expectation of how HACCP systems function in practice.

If your HACCP system has not been reviewed against the new standard:

• Compliance risks increase

• Audit outcomes become unpredictable

• Food safety assurance weakens

The key question is no longer “Do we have HACCP?”
But “Is our HACCP system still compliant and effective today?”