Food Warehousing 101: 4 Tips for Safe Storage

Before food products end up at grocery stores, restaurants, or the pantries and fridges of homeowners, they are stored in warehouses. Because of this, food warehousing services are a critical part of the food supply chain. 

As an essential part of this supply chain, food can spend anywhere from hours to months in storage. Carefully manage food to keep it safe and fresh, regardless of the time spent in storage

When it comes to food storage in warehouses, extra caution is vital due to the risks of contamination and spoilage. Risks that compromise the safety of various food items. 

Precise storage methods are particularly essential when dealing with perishable food items. Perishable foods need to be kept in environments with specific temperature and humidity conditions. The environments must also prevent bacteria growth, mould, and other forms of degradation. 

Any lapse in these controlled conditions can lead to rapid spoilage. Not only posing health risks for consumers, but also leading to significant financial losses. 

In addition, maintaining rigorous standards in the storage of food is necessary to maintain compliance. Compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. Failure to meet the requirements will lead to fines, product recalls, and reputation damage.

Important Factors to Consider for Food Warehousing

When food products are stored in a warehouse, employees are obligated to maintain their quality. How? With safe handling and storage practices. 

The specifics of these practices will vary depending on each product’s unique requirements. However, the following are the primary factors:

• Keeping temperatures in check

By far, one of the most essential aspects impacting food storage is temperature. Why? Because the temperature requirements for safe food storage are often different from one item to the next. 

Frozen foods must maintain a maximum internal temperature of -17ºC (0ºF) or less. Most refrigerated foods must maintain a maximum internal temperature of 5ºC (41ºF) or less. Dry storage items temperatures are between 10ºC to 21ºC (50ºF to 70ºF). Because of the different requirements, continuously monitor temperatures to meet the different requirements. 

• Food product rotation

When food expires the risk of it being unsafe to consume increases. This is why it is necessary to pay close attention to the shelf life of various products in food warehousing.

When it comes to product rotation, the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method is recommended for food items. This approach first involves identifying the expiration dates of food items. Next, storing the items with the earliest expiration dates in front of those with the later dates. 

Following this continuous cycle helps prevent situations in which items remain in storage for too long, eventually rendering them unusable.

• Proper food handling

In addition to proper storage conditions, warehouse employees handling the products must to do so with care. How? By maintaining key practices, such as washing hands, wearing gloves, and using clean utensils to handle the food. 

They must choose clean and durable food-grade containers. Ones that are appropriate for the type of food being stored. This is especially true in situations where cross-contamination can be a potential risk.

Therefore, it is essential that all warehouse staff receive adequate training in proper food-handling procedures. 

• Storage system design

The design of the storage system can significantly affect the safety and efficiency of food storage. Implementing such a system involves considering product sizes, shelf and rack weight capacities, and aisle widths

One common configuration for storing food items in a racked food warehouse is the ABC organization method. This method involves putting the fastest movers on the bottom level (A). Next, organizing the rest of the products accordingly on the other levels (B and C).

In some warehouses, zone picking or a flying-V configuration may also work well. Ultimately, your food storage system should be based on your warehouse’s needs and the capabilities of your (WMS).

How Wills Transfer Limited Can Help With Your Food Warehousing Needs. 

If you have food products that require warehousing and are looking for warehousing services you can rely on to maintain the ease of your operations and keep your products in optimal condition, Wills Transfer Limited can help.

Allow us to take on the responsibility of storing and transporting your products. Then you no longer have to worry about the complexities that go into this process, such as inventory organization, security, picking and packing, and temperature management. When you leave these critical matters to us, your focus will be on your core business. Let us help you pave the path to your success. 

No matter the food or volume, we are confident our warehousing services can meet your needs. We also have the flexibility to modify our storage approach as your needs change.  

Our primary objective is to consistently maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of you food supply chain. We do whatever it takes to guarantee that. 

For more information about the various warehousing services we have to offer, call Wills Transfer Limited at 613-704-7549 or contact us here.