A temperature check failed. What should happen next?
Recording a temperature is only the beginning of the control. When a result falls outside the site’s limit or operating rule, the useful evidence is what the team did next.
The result is the starting point
A red number is not the complete record
A failed check should trigger the appropriate corrective-action process. The evidence needs to show whether the issue was brought back under control.
Corrective-action flow
What should happen next?
The response must follow the site’s documented controls and the circumstances of the failure.
- 01
Check
Confirm the reading and assess the relevant food, equipment, time and process.
- 02
Assess
Establish what is affected and whether control has been lost.
- 03
Act
Apply the relevant corrective action.
- 04
Record
Record what happened, what was done and the final food or equipment disposition.
- 05
Verify
Management reviews or closes the action where required.
A refrigerator example
Context determines the response
A reading outside the site’s configured limit does not create one universal action. The response depends on the food, equipment, time, process and the site’s documented controls.
Management review
Verify that the immediate issue was handled and identify repeated problems or actions still open.
Connected evidence
Keep the check, corrective action, final decision, person responsible and review together from start to finish.
