Time Control

Critical Control Point

Food Safety Management System (FSMS) – Technical Documentation

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1. Introduction

Time Control as a Food Safety Measure

In many food service and preparation environments, time control is a validated and widely accepted method for ensuring food safety, particularly during display, service, and short-term holding when temperature control is not practical or necessary.

This applies to:

• Buffet service

• Cold displays

• Meal plating lines

• Event catering

• Pass-throughs during busy service windows

Foods that fall into this category are temporarily exposed to the temperature danger zone (5°C–60°C), where microbial growth is optimal. For this reason, time becomes the primary control measure, and strict limits must be enforced to prevent the proliferation of pathogens such as:

• Clostridium perfringens

• Bacillus cereus

• Salmonella spp.

• Staphylococcus aureus

Time control is most often designated as a Critical Control Point when food cannot be held within safe temperature zones but is expected to be consumed within a defined window.

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2. FSMS and HACCP

When Time Replaces Temperature

Time control is permitted under many regulatory and FSMS frameworks as long as it is documented, verifiable, and applied consistently. Regulatory guidance and HACCP best practice generally allow:

• Up to 2 hours for foods outside of temperature control to be consumed or discarded

• Up to 4 hours under documented risk-managed plans with evidence of prior safe handling

The start of the time period is critical and must be traceable.

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3. Hazards

Associated with Time Control

Hazard Type	Example
Biological	Growth of pathogenic bacteria due to extended exposure to the temperature danger zone
Allergenic	Risk of allergen cross-contact during unmanaged service periods
Physical	Degradation of food quality, appearance, or integrity over time, leading to misrepresentation or mishandling

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4. HACCP Audit Table

Time Control CCP

Step	Hazard	Control Measure	CCP?	Critical Limit	Monitoring Method
Display or service	Bacterial growth due to temperature exposure	Time-based discard schedule	Yes	2 hours (or max 4 if risk-assessed)	Thermal imagery + timestamp logging
	No evidence of start time	Image with timestamp	Yes	Image must be recorded	AI + metadata from image

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5. Start the Time Window

The thermal image acts as the point of control to initiate the time-based safety window. The process is as follows:

Step 1: Food Is Placed Out for Service

• Chilled foods: Should be ≤ 5°C

• Hot foods: Should be ≥ 60°C

Step 2: Capture Thermal Image

• A thermal image of the food display is taken immediately.

• This image becomes the compliance record marking the start of the time window.

• It captures:

  • Surface temperature confirmation

  • Food type and category

  • Number of portions

  • Presentation method (plate, tray, buffet, etc.)

  • Location or context (pass, counter, room)

Step 3: AI Processes and Populates Form Fields

• AI identifies:

  • Food category (e.g., salad, hot dish, dessert)

  • Number of portions visible

  • Serving format (gastronorm, platter, plate, etc.)

  • Any visible contaminants or foreign matter

• Thermal data confirms temperature at time zero

• Timestamps and metadata are stored automatically

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6. Monitoring and Discard Compliance

After the image is captured:

• The system logs the timestamp as the start of the service window

• Food must be either:

  • Served and consumed within 2 hours, or

  • Discarded before the 4-hour mark (if validated by the HACCP plan)

Multiple images can be taken during long service periods to reconfirm batch changes, turnover, or new trays, each restarting or resetting the time control.

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7. Benefits

The AI + Thermal Imagery Time Control Method

High-Frequency Monitoring with Minimal Effort

• Chefs or service staff can quickly take an image without disrupting workflow.

• The system processes the data and submits it as a new operation instance.

Large Dataset for Audit Readiness

• Each instance contributes to a robust compliance dataset

• Far more accurate and scalable than manual paper logs or temperature probes

Evidence-Based Verification

• Images are tamper-resistant, timestamped, and easily retrievable

• The AI provides contextual data and validates temperature compliance at time zero

Operational Traceability

• Submission records include:

  • Timestamp

  • Dish/food identification

  • Initial temperature

  • Duration of exposure (based on service schedule)

Export-Ready Reports for Audits

• Reports support:

  • ISO 22000

  • Codex HACCP

  • Local food regulations

• Data and images can be exported as:

  • PDF for compliance folders

  • CSV or Excel for digital traceability logs

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8. Summary

Time Control with Thermal Imaging and AI

The integration of thermal imagery and AI into time control practices allows food operations to safely manage CCP #4 (Time Control) with:

• Accurate time window tracking based on thermal evidence

• Hands-off data capture by frontline staff

• Automated documentation for audit readiness

• Visual, searchable, and exportable records

This provides a technologically advanced, scalable, and defensible approach to time-based food safety control where temperature maintenance isn’t feasible, such as during short-term service or display periods.

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