Is it OK to have pallets on the floors?

Hi All,

We are a packaging company, our materials are used in the food industries. I was wondering can we keep the stock on the pallets on the floors? We have too less space in the rackings and sometimes we must keep the pallets on the floors, as well as like in the despatch area as well. According the BRC 4.12.1 (issue 4 for Packaging) "all products shall be fully protected during transite and storage by appropriate external packaging or transported under conditions to protect the product from contamination".

When I reed this clause, it looks like it is not very good idea to keep the pallets on the floors, becouse we can contaminate the product, but on the other hand, we keep the pallets on the floors only if we have too much pallets in stock and we dont have other choise.

The pallets are protected with a carboard sheet and the materials are wrapped and protected.

I am not sure should we worry about keeping the pallets on the floors?

Thank you,

Jurate

Hi Jurate,

I just need more clarification with your question. What are your products? Pallets?

Thanks.

If product is on pallets covered with a slip cover you should be alright. Product in direct contact with the floor is a problem.

Hi,

Sorry I had to mention earlier that we produce the packaging material for food industries, so usualy it is a reel of plastic material, or boxes with the bags inside.

Thank you.

Hi Jurate,

I just need more clarification with your question. What are your products? Pallets?

Thanks.

If these are food contact materials I would recommend a slip sheet between the pallet and the material and the material to be fully covered by plastic.

Hi All,

We are a packaging company, our materials are used in the food industries. I was wondering can we keep the stock on the pallets on the floors? We have too less space in the rackings and sometimes we must keep the pallets on the floors, as well as like in the despatch area as well. According the BRC 4.12.1 (issue 4 for Packaging) "all products shall be fully protected during transite and storage by appropriate external packaging or transported under conditions to protect the product from contamination".

When I reed this clause, it looks like it is not very good idea to keep the pallets on the floors, becouse we can contaminate the product, but on the other hand, we keep the pallets on the floors only if we have too much pallets in stock and we dont have other choise.

The pallets are protected with a carboard sheet and the materials are wrapped and protected.

I am not sure should we worry about keeping the pallets on the floors?

Thank you,

Jurate

IMO there is no issue to keep your material on pallets placed directly over floor untill and unless the situation satisfies following requirements:

1- Your material should be at least 6 inch above the floor (that is height of pallet should be atleast 6 inch). "The 2009 FDA Food Code states that all food must be stored at least six inches above the floor. This is to prevent water, dust or other contaminants from soaking through bags or otherwise contaminating the food. A lot of local health codes go a step further and make the minimum height 12 inches." Although this statement is valid for food material but logically it should also be valid for packaging material also.

2- The floor where your pallets are placed should be kept visually clean, dry, and where possible sanitized.

3- Pallets should be kept at least 18 in.away from wall or any other items to facilitate cleaning and prevent pest activity. "Dunnage racks, pallets, etc. should be spaced sufficiently from walls to allow for vermin monitoring and inspection. A space of 18" is recommended. Wooden shelving and pallets require a higher level of maintenance and are more conducive to vermin infestation." Again this statement is valid for food material but logically it should also be valid for packaging material also.

References:
http://www.ifsqn.com...tems-from-wall/
http://www.foodservi...nt-/c28162.aspx

Regards:
M.Zeeshan.

Hi,
If it's any help, we use a plastic pallet underneath our wooden pallets. These are cleaned and sanitised before bringing into the factory and they stay on the floor without moving for the whole shift. At the end of each shift, they are cleaned and sanitised ready for the next shift.
We are very regulated in NZ and wood is not allowed to sit on any floor in our factory environment and we have found these plastic pallets invaluable as they are easy to keep clean.
Good Luck.
Cheers

Hi sorry to be so basic but would I be right assuming the pallets are wood and not plastic? If they are plastic, then the main issue would be with the cleaning/sanitising of the pallets.
If they are wood then, as mentioned, they need to be kept in certain conditions. If your product is card then you would need to ensure the pallets are free from excessive damp. I would suggest that you replace the card sheet with a plastic one in any case, there are some very good corrugated plastic sheets which work very well indeed and give a good impression on audits. This will help prevent any dampness from rising and contaminating your product.
If your product is open at one end then I would advise the completed pallet to have a card cover on top and then fully stretch wrapped with another plastic sheet on top of the card. the card will help stability and the plastic will clearly help to prevent water ingress from above.
Sorry to witter on, I hope this is of use to you.

Thanks Jurate,

There is no problem if you keep your products on plastic pallets to keep them from having in direct contact with the floor.
I would be concerned if the pallets are made of wood.

Regards

A lot of local health codes go a step further and make the minimum height 12 inches.

Regards:
M.Zeeshan.

Hi Zeeshan,

I have never seen a code that quotes 12" from the floor, please provide creditable references.

Hi All,

The pallets are protected with a carboard sheet and the materials are wrapped and protected.

I am not sure should we worry about keeping the pallets on the floors?

Thank you,

Jurate

Hi Jurate,

I don't see a problem providing there is no contamination risk from the floor. What I do see quite often is that the sheets are too small to cover the area where products are placed on the pallet meaning some product contact & risk of exposure to wood.


Regards,

Tony

Hi Zeeshan,

I have never seen a code that quotes 12" from the floor, please provide creditable references.

Tony

Dear Tony

I have taken this excerpt from following website. I am sorry, but I have no further investigation about it. IMO, 12 inch recommendation is not a standard practice or any official recommendation but a recommendation to be on more safe-side.

http://www.foodservi...nt-/c28162.aspx

Regards:
M.Zeeshan.

Dear Tony

I have taken this excerpt from following website. I am sorry, but I have no further investigation about it. IMO, 12 inch recommendation is not a standard practice or any official recommendation but a recommendation to be on more safe-side.

http://www.foodservi...nt-/c28162.aspx

Regards:
M.Zeeshan.

No problem Zeeshan, we all need to be careful when quoting sources a 'Restaurant Equipment and Supplies' website is not a credible source IMO.

Regards,

Tony