Warehousing Hygiene & Maintenance
Aligned with FSSC 22000 Requirements
Requirement Overview
FSSC 22000 requires organizations to implement and maintain hygiene and maintenance programs that prevent product contamination and support food safety throughout warehousing operations. This includes establishing documented cleaning procedures, maintenance schedules, and inspection routines for all storage areas, facilities, and equipment.
These requirements apply to ambient, chilled, and frozen storage environments, as well as associated infrastructure such as loading docks, external yards, and handling equipment. Controls must ensure the hygienic condition of premises and the continued suitability of equipment for food operations.
Key Compliance Objectives
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✓ Keep warehouse areas clean, orderly, and suitable for food/non-food storage
✓ Prevent contamination through regular cleaning and sanitation
✓ Maintain the integrity and functionality of equipment and facility infrastructure
✓ Document all cleaning, inspection, and maintenance activities to support traceability and audits
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1.Implement a Warehouse Cleaning Program
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Key Actions:
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• Develop and document a cleaning schedule covering floors, walls, ceilings, racks, doors, and common touchpoints
• Assign responsibilities to trained and authorized personnel
• Use food-safe cleaning agents appropriate to the area and product risk
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Cleaning procedures and frequency schedules
• Verified cleaning records and inspection logs
• Corrective action reports for hygiene-related non-conformances
- • Develop and document a cleaning schedule covering floors, walls, ceilings, racks, doors, and common touchpoints • Assign responsibilities to trained and authorized personnel • Use food-safe cleaning agents appropriate to the area and product risk
- • Cleaning procedures and frequency schedules • Verified cleaning records and inspection logs • Corrective action reports for hygiene-related non-conformances
2. Maintain Facilities and Equipment
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Scope Includes:
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• Racking systems, forklifts, loading docks, doors, ceilings, and lighting
• External areas such as yards, delivery zones, and waste storage
• Pest-proofing infrastructure and facility condition
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Planned maintenance schedules
• Maintenance and repair logs
• Facility inspection records noting wear, hazards, or defects
- • Racking systems, forklifts, loading docks, doors, ceilings, and lighting • External areas such as yards, delivery zones, and waste storage • Pest-proofing infrastructure and facility condition
- • Planned maintenance schedules • Maintenance and repair logs • Facility inspection records noting wear, hazards, or defects
3. Conduct Routine Hygiene Inspections
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Inspection Focus Areas:
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• General cleanliness and accumulation of debris or spills
• Condition of pallets, containers, and stored items
• Presence of pests, water leakage, mold, or structural damage
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Warehouse inspection checklists and reports
• Photo documentation (when applicable)
• Non-conformance reports and follow-up actions
- • General cleanliness and accumulation of debris or spills • Condition of pallets, containers, and stored items • Presence of pests, water leakage, mold, or structural damage
- • Warehouse inspection checklists and reports • Photo documentation (when applicable) • Non-conformance reports and follow-up actions
4. Monitor Environmental and Storage Conditions
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Control Measures:
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• Maintain designated temperature zones (ambient/chilled/frozen)
• Prevent condensation and manage air circulation
• Regularly calibrate and verify monitoring devices
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Temperature logs and calibration certificates
• Environmental monitoring records
• Incident reports for deviations or equipment failures
- • Maintain designated temperature zones (ambient/chilled/frozen) • Prevent condensation and manage air circulation • Regularly calibrate and verify monitoring devices
- • Temperature logs and calibration certificates • Environmental monitoring records • Incident reports for deviations or equipment failures
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Dirty or cluttered storage areas | Reinforce cleaning schedule and assign area-specific responsibilities |
| Incomplete cleaning records | Train staff on proper documentation and verification requirements |
| Damaged flooring or racks | Implement routine inspections and schedule timely repairs |
| Signs of pests or access points | Enhance pest control and seal external entry points |