Do We Need Truck Inspections for Our Own Store Deliveries Under SQF?

In our facility, we manufacture the products that are sold at our own store. We are wanting to get certified, just the manufacturing facility. How much does SQF extend into our management in our stores (we do provide GMP and allergen control training)?

I proposed a truck and trailer inspection form for incoming and outgoing shipments, but the question I got asked is, does this apply if we ship to our own store. We use our own delivery truck and truck driver, we do not use a trailer for this.

I personally think YES it should be the same all the way across, especially for traceability purposes. Would we be able to "get away" with it not being so strict as if we were shipping out with a trailer company? Can the form be simpler, or should it be the same as if it were a regular trailer inspection

They told me that they could track shipments with the sheet used for orders form from the store--as far as quantities and what is leaving--but I still think we have to do an inspection sheet for our own truck as well. The issue that was brought to me is that there are multiple runs being done by our own truck driver, and they don't want to add any extra workload with multiple inspection sheets.

I just don't know how far out our policies should go, or if we shouldn't even worry about it?

You should be inspecting EVERY truck you load, regardless of destination   making separate rules will just create confusion in your shipping department

As far as SQF certification goes, you can have the store out of scope

Inspections, recall/trace, etc would all apply.

I would suggest making your stores your customers - or treating them as such - it makes it all much smoother.

Yes, and your own truck or trucks need inspections just like all others.

Agree above.  It does make life simpler if the store is registered as a customer of your business, otherwise your auditor can suggest any inventory at the store is included in the scope of your audit and therefore the store itself.  Makes everything simple if product sent to the store is no longer "yours" in the manufacturing plant.

The truck/trailer inspection forms for loading need to cover requirements, but they don't have to be massive beast that causes headaches.  A member of shipping/receiving should be so normalized to them that it doesn't cross their mind to skip it when loading your own truck.  Shipment in, shipment out, fill out the inspection form.  Anything else is laziness.

And heck, I can argue the scrutiny on your own truck should be arguably more in-depth as the truck owned by the manufacturer is part of the scope of the audit.  Is the truck on the PM program?  Is the truck interior on your MSS?  Is it listed in the pest control program, with inspections before you open the door when backed to your dock?  How do you know a raccoon didn't make its way inside while it was parked in your lot?  So, in addition to making sure the truck is within the scope of all other FSQA activities, doing the regular inspection on it before loading and unloading is expected, IMO.  

Couple other thoughts just to help reinforce your cause:

• Does the company ever task the driver to pickup supplies for your maintenance department?  If so, does the driver take shortcuts and pickup two drums of machine oil on the way to the store because it's more convenient than grabbing them on the way back?
• Is the driver fully trained on food defense?  Background checked?  Loads to your own store should still include a lock and seal, because even a trip across town carries a minor, minor risk of break-in or disgruntled driver.