Hi all,
I work in a USDA and FDA Bakery (different products fall under separate jurisdiction). We bake product on trays in double racks, and then the product, still in the racks, undergoes cooling in 2 stages. During the second stage, we transfer the racks into a cooler in the warehouse. This cooler is also used to store RTE meats, boxed and palletized, and raw flours, bagged, palletized and wrapped in plastic.
Here's what we do: cover the racks housing RTE food (that will undergo no further kill step) for transport through the warehouse, then remove the covers for cooling inside the cooler.
The cooler is quite large and has plenty of space for racks in the center. There is no concern for overhead contamination, as all condensation is contained in a closed system. The cooler floor is kept clean and dry. I have conducted a risk assessment (attached) of the situation and I believe the risk is both minimal and within acceptable limits.
My question to members is this: Have you been in a similar situation? Did inspectors or auditors give you any trouble? Is there anything that stands out to you that I may have missed?
Thank you!