Allergen Management of CPGs in Warehouse Environment
Do packaged CPGs need to be managed in the same manner as bulk items in regard to allergens. For example: Do jars of Alfredo Sauce (contain milk) need to be segregated and stored in a strict manner to prevent cross-contact. I ask do to the practice in grocery outlets not adhering to allergen segregation practices.
I used to inspect food outlets like Sams, Target, ShopRite, Trader Joes, etc and NO!!!! They do not practice allergen segregation at all in fact for all the RISK they tell their suppliers to respect in segregation in storage it all goes to hell when you open up the back of a system trailer and see how the food outlets stack everything together on pallets. (added = I am talking about the shipments coming from their own DC's and not from their individual suppliers.)
However, for food storage facilties the answer would be you need to segregation, mark, placard, etc as a part of a holiistic overall allergen program..
With few exceptions the food outlets do not practice what they preach, restaurants on the other hand have made great strides (at least the ones that are system types) in this area over what it used to be and that is because of lawsuits mostly.
Hi ganderson64,
In a perfect world maybe they would be segregated but finished products containing allergens should be securely packaged so that they cannot contaminate other products and thus there is not a real need for segregation. After all customers take home all their shopping mixed together!
This then means the only risk of cross-contamination is from breakages & spills. There should be procedures in place to deal with those.
I have also noted in similar topics on the forums that someone mentioned flour that was prone to leaks and I see that quite regularly in stores. So I would be looking at segregating packaged products that are likely to leak but clearly the jars you mention are not likely to leak so I would be much less concerned about segregation and more about preventing breakages.
Kind regards,
Tony
Allergen-containing products should be stored separately from allergen-free products. This will help prevent accidental exposure and minimize the risk of cross-contamination. The grocery outlet owners should consider using designated storage areas or shelves for allergen-containing items.