Receiving, Transportation, Storage & Shipping Practices

1. Receiving, Transportation, Storage & Shipping Practices Getting the Product into and out of the Plant

2. Handling stages • Receiving: • Deals with raw materials, ingredients & packaging material at beginning of process • In-process handling: • Product is moved around the plant and sometimes held at various points • Finished product handling • In-plant storage • Shipping to other locations

3. Receiving • Incoming transport • Highway trailer or container – may be public carrier or owned by client or self-owned • Sanitary conditions • Check inside of carrier for cleanliness & presence of pests • Temperature check of sensitive materials

4. Incoming material • Contamination by dirty transport or pests can create health hazards • Inspection information should be recorded • Approved materials • Letter of ‘no objection’ • Raw materials transported under sanitary conditions • Temperature checks

5. Handling & storage of materials & ingredients • Ingredients & packaging materials • Prevent damage, deterioration, contamination • Use rotation (FIFO) • Chemicals • No cross-contamination with food • MSDS should be present • Store in clean, labeled containers • Handled only by trained personnel

6. Receiving area • Under cover • Directly from transport to enclosed loading dock • Preferably backed up tight against flexible seal at a door into loading dock • Separate raw materials / ingredients / packaging / finished products • Use separate areas / times

7. Transportation in plant • Pallets moved by fork lifts or pallet movers • Require maintenance and cleaning • Proper operation by trained drivers • Overhead conveyors • Belt conveyors • Clean & sanitize regularly • Maintain

8. In process handling • Clean overhead structures • Insulate and maintain pipes • Product may be held between process steps • Protect from contamination by cleaning sprays, air-borne contaminants • Move to safe location / cover • Watch temperature control

9. Finished product storage • Finished product forms • Bulk or packaged • Dry or liquid or slurry • Frozen or chilled • Heated or ambient temperature • Store & handle finished product • To prevent damage, deterioration or contamination • Protect packaged product from moisture

10. Product shipping • Inspection of outgoing transport • Operating properly, satisfactorily cleaned, correct temperature before loading • Transport product under conditions to prevent damage / deterioration • Temperatures must be monitored for frozen or chilled product

11. Loading practices • Secured to prevent shifting during transport • Allow for proper air circulation in reefers • Don’t leave product in unregulated area • Transport only approved food products in same transport • Identify defective or suspect returned products