How to handle Chemical Storage?
Hello all, I am trying to build a HACCP plan and get SQF Certified for the small honey company. Right now I have all of my chemicals stored in one locking, metal, grey cabinet. That includes all of my FDA approved chemicals for my production as well as any other chemicals the Grounds/Maintenance/Inventory Manager uses. Things like pressure washer fluid, bleach, ant killer, etc. Do I need to separate the chemicals? Do I need to put some/all of them in a yellow steel cabinet? Thank you!
You need to REMOVE the pressure washer fluid/ant killer etc from the building completely or at the very least, in a maintenance or office area (still under lock and key) It's too easy for a mistake to happen OR a disgruntled employee to have access to them when they are all stored together
Items like bleach need to be in a secure locked cabinet
You'll probably want some sort of spill containment system as well, you can buy spill kits, and they are sized by the amount of spill you'd expect in worst case scenario
The ant killer is an issue, because GFSI are going to require a pest control plan, and will want proof of capabilities/training If you move them out of the production area, you won't have an audit peeking at them
Just to add to this one:
Do I need to put some/all of them in a yellow steel cabinet?
I believe the yellow steel cabinet you are referencing is a flammable cabinet? That wouldn't really be an SQF/food safety thing, although they COULD give you a finding if they are familiar with the regulatory requirement and you are in violation. It would be an OSHA/NFPA compliance requirement. I'd suggest doing some searches on the requirements with NFPA (OSHA typically defers to them) to find out if you have flammable liquids in the quantities (Cat 1-3 have different gallon requirements/restrictions and you might need several compliant cabinets) they require to be maintained in complaint flammable storage containers.
Do you separate food grade maintenance chemicals (e.g. lubricants) from non-food grade?
I was able to completely remove everything except my FDA approved chemicals and put them in another building. I believe I will have to get a separate yellow fire cabinet for those. This may sound obtuse, but do the chemicals that i removed to another building still go on my Chemical Inventory List?
Do you separate food grade maintenance chemicals (e.g. lubricants) from non-food grade ones
note taken, thanks. I did that
I was able to completely remove everything except my FDA approved chemicals and put them in another building. I believe I will have to get a separate yellow fire cabinet for those. This may sound obtuse, but do the chemicals that i removed to another building still go on my Chemical Inventory List?
Whatever you use for cleaning/sanitizing, maintenance, boiler, etc. should be on your Chemical List, regardless where you store those chemicals.