FDA Inspecting Incoming Food Materials

U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
Inspecting Incoming Food Materials
Industry Activities Staff; Revised January 26, 1999

Table of Contents
image of truck

Introduction
Note outside condition of carrier

If doors of vehicle compartments have a seal, note if it is broken

Break seal and open doors -- at the same time note odor and temperature

Note condition of stacked cartons or other containers

Look for evidence of insect, rodent and bird activity

Remove random samples of food containers for product examination

While unloading, note if non-food items are also in the shipment

After unloading, observe inside condition of carrier

Incoming Food Materials Inspection Report

Introduction

IF YOU ARE GIVEN THE JOB OF INSPECTING AND UNLOADING CARTONS OF INCOMING FOOD MATERIALS,

READ THIS BOOKLET

IT WILL HELP YOU MAKE A GOOD START.

THERE IS ALSO A HANDY INSPECTION FORM AT THE END OF THIS BOOKLET TO GUIDE YOU DURING YOUR INSPECTION.

DISCUSS THESE WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR AND ASK HIM FOR ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS.

WHY SHOULD YOU INSPECT INCOMING FOOD MATERIALS?

First of all, NOBODY WANTS TO BUY GARBAGE!

To make money, your firm must handle only good products. ROTTEN, SPOILED OR CONTAMINATED FOOD MATERIALS WILL NEVER CHANGE INTO GOOD PRODUCTS!

VERY OFTEN, FIRMS WHICH ACCEPT CONTAMINATED AND SPOILED FOOD MATERIALS ARE FORCED TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS -- THE EMPLOYEES LOSE THEIR JOBS!

CONTAMINATED AND SPOILED FOOD CAN MAKE PEOPLE SICK, INCLUDING YOU, AND YOUR FAMILY AND ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY EAT THIS FOOD.

SINCE MOST OF US CANNOT BE THERE TO INSPECT THE FOOD MATERIALS AS THEY ARE DELIVERED TO YOUR FIRM, WE DEPEND ON YOU TO MAKE A GOOD INSPECTION AND TO MAKE SURE CONTAMINATED FOOD MATERIALS DO NOT ENTER YOUR PLANT. WILL YOU DO IT?

TO DO THIS RIGHT, YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO INSPECT AND WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GOOD INSPECTION.

MAKING THE INSPECTION

WHAT YOU MUST DO BEFORE THE SHIPMENT ARRIVES:

MAKE SURE THAT:

1. the storage space for the shipment is clean and dry;

2. the equipment you will use to handle incoming food materials is clean and in good repair;

3. you have the following tools so you can make a good inspection:

a magnifying glass
flashlight
black light (ultraviolet light) source (for identifying rodent urine)
sample containers (plastic bags with self seals or glass jars with covers)
sampling tools, such as trier and spatula
other equipment to aid inspection of specific products
Inspection Report form
marking pencil

4. you do not contaminate the product during sampling

5. you also follow specific instructions given by your supervisor.

IF YOU FOLLOW THESE AND YOUR SUPERVISOR'S INSTRUCTIONS AND USE THE EQUIPMENT PROPERLY, YOU WILL MAKE A GOOD INSPECTION AND HELP ASSURE THAT ONLY CLEAN, WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS AND FOOD MATERIALS ARE USED IN THE PRODUCTS YOU HELP MANUFACTURE.

PUBLICATION NO. (FDA) 76-2017

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