General Storage Guidelines
When putting away a food shipment, store foods in this order:
1st: potentially hazardous foods requiring refrigeration (meats, seafood, dairy, etc.)
2nd: frozen foods
3rd: less hazardous foods that require refrigeration (fresh, uncut fruits and vegetables, etc.)
4th: dry goods
Use the “first in, first out” (FIFO) principle. Pull old stock to the front and store the new stock behind.
Note the code date on products: ‘best before’ date, ‘expiry’ date or ‘use by’ date; and rotate stock so that old stock is used before the new stock.
If necessary, protect food from contamination by wrapping and covering it.
Make sure that all food is labelled with the product name and the date that it was received.
Use only food-grade containers to store food.
Do not store food on the floor. All food should be stored at least 15 cm (6 inches) off of the floor.
Cooler Storage Guidelines
Check the temperature of the cooler on both the built-in and the portable thermometers to ensure that the cooler temperature is between 0oC and 4oC (32oF – 40oF). If the cooler is above 4oC (40oF), take corrective action.
Store raw meats, poultry, fish and dairy products below cooked, prepared and ready to eat foods.
Freezer Storage Guidelines
Check the temperature of the freezer on both the built-in and the portable thermometers to ensure that the freezer temperature is below -18oC (0oF). If the freezer is above -18oC (0oF), take corrective action.