GAP Audit Part 4 - Storage and Transportation Checklist

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Part 4 - Storage and Transportation

Product, Containers & Pallets

The storage facility is cleaned and maintained in an orderly manner.
Bulk storage facilities are inspected for foreign material prior to use and records are maintained.
Storage rooms, buildings, and/or facilities are maintained and sufficiently sealed or isolated and are protected from external contamination.
Storage grounds are reasonably free of litter and debris.
Floors in storage areas are reasonably free of standing water.
Possible wastewater spillage is prevented from contaminating any food handling area by barriers, drains, or sufficient distance.
There is a policy describing procedures which specify handling/disposition of finished product which is opened, spilled, or comes into contact with the floor.
Packing containers are properly stored and sufficiently sealed, to be protected from contamination (birds, rodents, pests, and other contaminants).
Pallets, pallet boxes, tote bags, and portable bins, etc. are clean, in good condition and do not contribute foreign material to the product.
Product stored outside in totes, trucks, bins, other containers or on the ground in bulk is covered and protected from contamination.
Non-food grade substances such as paints, lubricants, pesticides, etc., are not stored in close proximity to the product.
Mechanical equipment used during the storage process is clean and maintained to prevent contamination of the product.

Measures are taken to exclude animals or pests from storage facilities.
There is an established pest control program for the facility.
Service reports for the pest control program are available for review.
Interior walls, floors, and ceilings are well-maintained and are free of major cracks and crevices.

The water used for cooling and/or making ice is potable.
Manufacturing, storage, and transportation facilities used in making and delivering ice used for cooling the product have been sanitized.
Climate-controlled rooms are monitored for temperature and logs are maintained.
Thermometer(s) are checked for accuracy and records are available for review.
Refrigeration system condensation does not come in contact with produce.
Refrigeration equipment (condensers, fans, etc.) is cleaned on a scheduled basis.
Iced product does not drip on pallets of produce stored below.

Prior to the loading process, conveyances are required to be clean, in good physical condition, free from disagreeable odors, and from obvious dirt/debris.
Produce items are not loaded with potentially contaminating products.
Company has a written policy for transporters and conveyances to maintain a specified temperature(s) during transit.
Conveyances are loaded to minimize damage to product.

Employee facilities (locker rooms, lunch and break areas, etc.) are clean and located away from storage, shipping, and receiving areas.
When there is a written policy regarding the use of hair/beard nets in the storage and transportation areas, it is being followed by all affected employees and visitors.
When there is a written policy restricting the wearing of jewelry in the storage and transportation areas, it is being followed by all affected employees and visitors.

Records are kept regarding the source of incoming product and the destination of outgoing product which is uniquely identified to enable traceability.