5 replies to this topic

[jpatel]

Hello all, 

We are a 3PL warehousing and transportation company with a number of Food Graded clients. We are SQF certified, and we do handle raw materials, finished products and food graded packaging material over a wide range of Temperature controlled warehousing space. 

 

One of our potential clients showed up asking for a Letter of Guarantee for a "Peanut Free Facility". Here my question is, can we create a separate section in our warehouse (with a partition wall) and declare that specific area as a "peanut Free zone"? As other areas in the warehouse may contain Peanuts and/or tree nuts. 

(Please note: we do not open/process any of the received items in any part of our warehouse - we are simply Receiving-storage-shipping kind of business.)

 

Any of your suggestions would be greatly helpful. I just don't want to reply back to the client with any dumb answers. 

 

Thank you everyone, in advance!!

[olenazh]

Can you 100% guarantee that? I mean, would that separate peanut-free zone have exclusive shipping/receiving area, personnel and so on - so, there won't be cross-connection between peanut-free and other goods flows? You see, I'm just thinking: if you issue that LOG and something would ever happen with peanut-free goods (say, peanut-related complain or whatever) - they potentially may sue you. Let's see what others will say...

[jpatel]

Thanks much Olenazh, 

I really appreciate your response. 

Yes, we can have separate shipping-receiving area, separate employee entrance and a separate lunch room - exclusively for peanut-free zone.

 

The only thing I am wondering is, what should be precautionary measures - if some employees from non-controlled area need to visit the "Peanut Free zone"? Just washing/sanitizing hands would be enough for that? 

(we have a common food safety team, and they might need to visit the Peanut free zone - every couple of days)

 

Thank you..!! 

[olenazh]

To be completely safe, your policy should include not only hand washing but changing outfit when visiting peanut-free zone. Your written policy must include all precautionary measures, personnel training, corrective actions, flow charts, and so on to cover your rear end:)

[jpatel]

Thanks much Olenazh. I got many of my doubts cleared. 

Thanks much once again. :) 

[MDaleDDF]

I don't see it.   It's still in the same facility right?   They're asking if your facility is 'peanut free'.   It's not.