There is new technology available to ease the burden of record keeping. Many systems have remote units to input CCP monitoring information. This information resides in a central computer which maintains the information and alerts the user in the event of a deviation. These systems are moderately priced and offer many benefits to organize your record keeping system. They also simplify the process of pre-shipment approvals.
Records have to be maintained for specific periods of time.
Slaughtered and refrigerated product records have to be retained for a period of one year. Frozen product records have to be retained for a period of two years. Records may be stored off site after six months, however they must be available to FSIS within 24 hours of request. Electronic records are permissible. Such records should be designed with adequate security measures and be routinely backed up.