prerequisite programme / PRP
Good hygiene practices that are the basic conditions and activities necessary to maintain a hygienic environment.
A prerequisite programme in food safety is a set of basic hygiene and good practice measures that must be in place before more specific food safety controls are applied. These measures create a clean and safe environment for food production and help prevent hazards from occurring in the first place. Examples include proper cleaning and disinfection, pest control, safe water supply, equipment maintenance, and correct storage conditions.
EFSA works on prerequisite programmes by providing scientific guidance and opinions on good hygiene practices across the food chain, from farms to food processing and retail. EFSA assesses how these basic controls reduce risks from bacteria, parasites, and contaminants and uses this evidence to support EU food hygiene legislation.