What Are the Food Safety Standards for Warehousing?

Operating in the food and beverage industry means adhering to strict guidelines. Governing bodies in your sector have regulations for the storage of food so products eventually reach consumers in a condition that is safe for consumption.

Warehouse food safety standards focus on preventing unwanted spoilage and the contamination of consumer goods in between food hauling stages. This applies to foods such as dairy items, seafood and meats, which demand storage methods that allow conditions to stay within certain parameters.

The Value of Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance in the food industry helps stop the spread of foodborne illness, reduces waste and allows businesses to preserve the freshness and taste of consumables. Additionally, meeting regulatory compliance standards enables companies to maintain positive reputations with customers and gain their trust.

An Overview of Regulations Affecting Food Warehousing Operations

The main regulation applicable to food warehousing operations is the Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA. This regulation is set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and applies to teams handling food for humans and animals. Protocols for the FSMA include having sufficient refrigeration equipment, maintaining a hygienic environment, safeguarding food from contamination and eliminating unnecessary risks when goods are in a warehouse facility.

Professionals working in food warehouse locations must complete adequate training to abide by FDA rules. Other outlets and matters affecting food warehousing operations are:

• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA sets ground rules for conditions in which warehouses are permitted to store items like meat and poultry. This entity also determines rules for labeling foods in storage.
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP): Warehouses must follow the cGMP system, which outlines what is acceptable from a food quality standpoint. Workers must also learn sanitation and equipment maintenance needs.

Key Elements of Food Safety Standards

Key components of food safety standards are:

• Temperature control: Professionals must verify products can stay within safe temperature ranges in storage.
• Sanitation measures: Experts in the food storage space need to thoroughly clean surfaces and equipment.
• Worker sanitation: Teams responsible for storing consumables have to wash their hands frequently and work through training objectives to prevent food contamination.
• Food records: Knowing when foods arrive at a warehouse and when they are expected to leave is essential. Warehouse employees are expected to distribute older products first to keep supplies as fresh as possible.

Obstacles in Food Warehousing

It is helpful to partner with an experienced outlet for jobs that involve storing products for any length of time. Allen Distribution is on your side to make the following situations problems of the past:

• Temperature fluctuations
• Limited worker availability
• Improper storage and food separation practices
• No access to cold storage
• Understanding of national food safety standards
• Ever-changing regulations from the FDA
• Needing special equipment for long and short-term storage

At Allen Distribution, we help you overcome challenges with food warehousing. We provide you with distribution fulfillment solutions to distribute goods across the nation. Let us become an integral part of your process.

Experience Warehousing and Distribution Solutions for Food With Allen Distribution

Allen Distribution assists you with distribution, fulfillment, transportation, custom packaging and technology services for the food and beverage industry. It is our goal to create unparalleled value for you through a strategically positioned national supply chain network.

Our team has locations throughout the U.S. and will work within different sectors for convenience. Contact us to hear more about our options for service.