We produce bread and rolls and have many independent distributors that get our product to stores and restaurants. These independent distributors are essentially their own business - we deliver product to their warehouse (I use that term loosely) where they then pick it up and distribute it. They are not employee's of the company I work for and their warehouse is rented and paid for by them. We have started doing food safety inspections on these warehouses - we provide guidance on what we are looking for and have set certain expectations as to what is considered acceptable. This has been difficult to achieve compliance, and we aren't in a position to just say we won't deliver to you. We aren't sure if our expectations are too high and that is why we are having difficulties, or what. I don't have much (ok, any!) experience with warehouses and independent distributors, so am not sure what the expectations should be.
For example, we have some places that are a storage unit in a large building of storage units. We require pest control - which they include in the particular unit we use, but not around the whole building (the distributor is only renting the unit and doesn't have a say in what the landlord does). Is it necessary to have pest control around the outside of the building? Is the corridor from the main entrance to the actual unit being used considered as part of the inspection?
Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated!!