2 replies to this topic

[Foodit]

Hello,

I put myquestion in this section, as I think it might be most relevant here. Feel free to move if necessary.

 

We are a company that imports foodstuffs for the industry, meaning everything we import is in closed bags of a minimum of 25 kg bags which are stored on pallets.

We are also in the process of certifying ourselves as FSSC 22000, category FI/equivalent BRCGS Agent & Brokers.

We are considering moving from our own owned and operated warehouse to outsourcing the warehouse part of our company, as our warehouse will need a major renovation to meet the standard.

The warehouse we are considering is not per se a "food warehouse", but it is in much better condition than our own warehouse we use now. Among other things, they are environmentally certified. Do standards say anything about what kind of warehouse you can use?

We would have rented a number of pallet spaces, and my biggest concern is that we have no control over what is stored around our goods, but I'm sure we can set guidelines/demands for what can be put close by. If we make an agreement with the warehouse, is it within the standard?

 

I have visited the warehouse, and it is clean, pest controlled, traceability is ok, etc. 

[SHQuality]

My first thought is that allergens should be stored separately from other goods and strong-smelling goods are generally better stored in an area away from food.

Did you check their allergen management when you visited? If they're not a food warehouse, this may have slipped through the cracks.

[Brothbro]

Off the top of my head I can think of:

-Allergen control

-Temperature/humidity control procedures (is the warehouse environment maintained at a level that ensures safety/quality of your material)

-Employee hygiene requirements (are there procedures in place to prevent your material from becoming contaminated by staff)

-Material tampering/adulteration control (is the material stored and secured in a way that is tamper resistant and tamper-evident)

-If an agreement for storage conditions is made (ie, what material can be stored next to yours), would that agreement be verified occasionally? Would they let you onsite periodically to examine the storage conditions of your material?

 

 

I am not too familiar with FSSC 22000, but these are the general risks that come to my mind.