The storage and warehousing of perishable food items call for attention towards several minute details such as temperature, hygiene, pest control etc. It is important that the finished products and raw material should be kept in a controlled environment so that their quality can be retained for a longer period of time. However, with a wide range of options available, it can be difficult to find a facility that best matches your specific set of requirements.
Given below are some factors that need to be considered while choosing a food grade warehouse:
Type Of Products: You must determine your needs to evaluate the type of warehouse that you need. Get an estimate of the space you will require in the warehouse, the duration for which the goods will be stored before being shipped and if you need to expand the storage space during certain months. You can choose from the different types of food grade warehouses- dry storage warehouses, cold or frozen storage warehouses, chilled or refrigerated storage warehouses, depending upon the items you intend to store. - Level Of Cleanliness: The warehouse facility you choose should be absolutely clean and hygienic. The management and staff should follow the best sanitation practices to maintain a germ free environment as well as avoid any sort of health hazards. There should be adequate measures to prevent bacterial or fungal growth and infestation of rats, ants, roaches as well as other pests. Cleanliness is an important factor to keep the food in a palatable condition.
- Condition Of The Building: Besides the internal condition, it is equally important to inspect the exterior warehouse building. It should be well-maintained and comply with the building regulations of the area. The doors and windows should not have any cracks and the surroundings should be hygienic. Also, there should be sufficient equipment to deal with unforeseen circumstances such as fire breakout.
- Focus On Experience: Food grade storage requires the staff to possess a certain level of expertise and knowledge. Therefore, you must make sure that the warehouse you are choosing has prior experience in storing the specific type of food items. The staff should be able to control the temperature and humidity levels to maintain the shelf life of the goods. Not just inside the warehouse, the same quality standards should be followed during transportation of the food items to avoid any damage.
The warehouse service provider should be licensed and registered with the concerned authority. The staff should be efficient in using advanced technology to track inventory, manage the lot and maintain an efficient supply chain.
