A __________ is a failure to control at a Critical Control Point (CCP) leading to an unacceptable risk of hazard.

A deviation refers to a failure to maintain control at a Critical Control Point (CCP), which can potentially allow a hazard to occur. In the context of HACCP, a deviation signifies that the critical limits established for a particular CCP have not been met, thus opening the possibility for safety issues related to food hazards. For instance, if a cooked product is not held at the required temperature for the specified duration, this would constitute a deviation and could lead to growth of pathogens, posing a risk to consumer health. Recognizing and addressing deviations promptly is crucial to ensure food safety and compliance with HACCP principles.

In contrast, a critical defect generally refers to serious flaws in a product that may affect its intended use or safety, but it doesn't specifically relate to the management of hazards at CCPs. A hazard denotes any biological, chemical, or physical property that may cause a food to be unsafe for consumption, but it doesn't specifically indicate a failure in the control process at CCPs. Lastly, critical limits are the criteria that must be met to ensure that a CCP effectively controls a hazard; thus, they are part of the preventive measures rather than indicators of failure.