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S.T.R.E.T.C.H.
(Safety, Training, Resources, and Education to Combat Hunger)

Food Safety Information Sheet No. 5

Shelf Storage

Keep It Off The Floor!
To help protect the items in your storage area from dirt, rodents and/or insects and make it easier to clean, keep food items at least 6" off the floor. Check with your state or local Health Department for additional storage requirements.

• Local lumber yards often have wooden pallets "free for the taking". These pallets can be scrubbed, rinsed, dried and used in the storage area to stack items off the floor.
• Cinder blocks with wooden slats between can be a quick way to provide extra storage and assure items are at least 6" off the floor.

Keep It Contained!
Rodents, insects and bugs thrive when they have easy access to food items. To protect the food in the storage area:

• Store bulk foods in food grade plastic and/or air tight containers
• Label the container with the food, date received, and recommended "use by" date
• Check the containers regularly for signs of insects and/or bugs
• Clean up any spills immediately

Keep It Safe!
Detergents, polishes, cleaning agents, insect and rodent repellents, and other chemicals are poisonous to people. Make sure these products can't spill or leak onto food by storing them separately from food. Remember:

• Store chemicals apart from food items
• Clean any spills immediately

Use It First!
No food can last forever. To maximize food quality, be sure to rotate food so that you use the oldest first. To help keep track:

• Store newer food behind older food.
• Label and date all items.
• Remember to use foods on a "FIRST-IN, FIRST-OUT" basis.

Keep Them Out!
Be alert for signs of insects and/or rodents in the shelf-storage area. They not only look ugly, they can carry dirt, disease and germs with them. To keep these pests to a minimum:

• Clean up any spills immediately
• Be sure lids are tight on containers
• Maintain dry storage at 50 percent humidity or less to minimize hatching of roach eggs.

If insects or rodents are a problem in your facility contact a Licensed Professional for advice and eradication of the pests.

Keep It Clean!
A dirty or cluttered storage area can attract insects or rodents. Additionally, dirty floors, spills, and clutter can result in slips, falls, or other accidents. To minimize the potential for insect or rodent infestations and to guard the safety of your workers, keep the storage area clean and neat.

• Clean up spills immediately (keep a dust pan and brush handy for this purpose)
• Keep walkways clear
• Make a "Clean-Up" schedule for daily sweeping and periodic mopping