Food Safety Focus | Product Hold

Hello All! 

I hope this message finds all of you and your families safe and well.

Last week we discussed recalls and the importance of good labeling.  This week I want to talk a little about product hold so we can trace a product for a recall if needed.

To accurately track or trace a product, you will first need to put a product on “hold” to stop the product from moving physically or in the system while you track it.  You don’t want orders being pulled and shipped with the product you are trying to find.  You may need to clear off any pending orders that include the product you are tracing to have the ability to put the product on hold, if needed.  You will not be able to put the entire product on hold until you remove the entire product from pending orders.  

Next, remove the product physically from all orders still in-house, including sitting on the dock or on a trailer still at the site and from off the pickline.  Move all inventory to a safe place that will not be touched, to get it ready to be counted for the trace part of the recall.  Hold areas that are designated in the warehouse can be temporarily expanded if needed.  Put hold signs on the product you are tracing to ensure it doesn’t accidently get used while you track it for the trace part of the recall.

Remember to keep everything in writing, including management or customer requests to have product placed on hold or to have product taken off hold. 

We’ll talk more about recalls again next week.

Thanks for all that you do every day!

Justin

Food Safety Manager

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Author: Trish Metts