The purpose of this requirement sheet is to provide guidance regarding the minimum standards for a packaged foods warehouse.  See the Regulations Governing Sanitation of Food Establishments for complete regulatory requirements.

Dry Goods Warehouse

Non-hazardous or canned product in original boxes or pallets, with minimum breakdown. Minimum requirements:

1. Sealed, smooth concrete or tile floors.
2. Smooth and cleanable wall surfacing;
3. Twenty foot/candles of light at 30 inches above the floor.
4. Light fixtures must be protected from accidental breakage.
5. Ceiling without exposed insulation (scrim-sheeting MINIMUM).
6. Base-coving (epoxy grout “cove” allowed on concrete-block wall-to-concrete floor junctures).
7. Air curtain(s), dock “boot” seals, doors with weather-stripping or other approved method for control of dust, rodents, insects, and birds. Requirements vary depending upon proposed use.
8. A restroom (with commode and lavatory) within the facility serviced with hot and cold water, approved soap and disposable towels, adequate ventilation, and a self-closing door.
9. Warehouse facilities, built or substantially remodeled after the adoption of these Regulations, shall have a mop-sink or curbed floor unit serviced with hot and cold running water. Existing warehouse facilities, with only a hose bib, shall provide for filling a mop bucket and for disposing of mop water into a sanitary sewer. Hoses attached to a water source shall have as a minimum an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
10. Dunnage racks and/or shelving, with 6 inches clearance between the floor and the bottom shelf.
11. Palletized goods storage areas must have a “clear zone” of 18 inches between the walls and the pallets to facilitate rodent control and general cleaning, and for inspection access.

Refrigerated Warehouse

Pre-packaged food product in original boxes or pallets, with minimum breakdown. Minimum requirements– All of the above, plus:

1. NSF Standard 7 Refrigeration/freezer units, either walk-in, roll-in, or reach-in. Units meeting the requirements of NSFI/ANSI 7, section 5.36, and the labeling requirements of NSFI/ANSI 7, 5.34.9 (prefabricated walk-in and roll-in refrigerators and freezers used for the storage of food in the original sealed packaged must be labeled: “This equipment is intended for the storage of food in the original sealed package only”) are acceptable for “warehousing” operations. 20 foot/candles required in refrigerators and freezers.
2. Refrigeration condensate properly drained to a floor-sink or by other approved method.

Packaged Grocery Store

1. Sealed, Smooth and cleanable wall surfacing; Walls painted with light-colored hard enamel paint minimum.
2. Sealed, smooth concrete or tile floors;
3. NSFI or equivalent dunnage racks and/or shelving, with 6 inches clearance between the floor and the bottom shelf. Gondolas are acceptable for Grocery use.
4. Twenty foot/candles of light at 30 inches above the floor.
5. Light fixtures must be protected from accidental breakage.
6. Ceiling without exposed insulation (scrim-sheeting minimum).
7. Base-coving (epoxy grout “cove” allowed on concrete-block wall-to-concrete floor junctures).
8. Rear stocking entry must have vermin control consisting of air curtain(s), dock “boot” seals, doors with weather-stripping or other approved method for control of dust, rodents, insects, and birds.
9. Retail entrance must be self-closing.
10. A restroom (with commode and lavatory) within the facility serviced with hot and cold water, approved soap and disposable towels, adequate ventilation, and a self-closing door.
11. A mop-sink or hose bib. If only providing a hose bib, the restroom lavatory must have provision for filling a mop bucket and disposing of mop water. If hoses are attached to a sink faucet, the faucet must have at least an atmospheric vacuum breaker attached.