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Food-Service-Manual-for-Health-Care-Institutions

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<strong>Food</strong> <strong>Service</strong> <strong>Manual</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Institutions</strong><br />

596<br />

Dry Storage Maintenance<br />

The amount of space required <strong>for</strong> dry storage depends on the types and amounts of foods<br />

needed, the frequency of deliveries, the facility’s policies on inventory size, and the amount of<br />

money invested in inventory. These factors vary from one institution to another.<br />

Storage areas should be dry and easy to keep free of rodents and insects. Walls and ceilings<br />

should be constructed of nonporous materials, and ceilings should be free from water and<br />

heating pipes. Any windows should be screened and equipped with an opaque security sash to<br />

protect supplies from direct sunlight. Floors, preferably made of quarry tile, terrazzo, or sealed<br />

concrete, should be slip resistant. All components—walls, ceilings, shelves, and floors—should<br />

be easy to clean.<br />

All parts of a storage room should be well lighted so that supplies and labeling are visible<br />

and housekeeping can be achieved properly. Light fixtures covered with wire mesh help protect<br />

against breakage and shield employees from falling glass should breakage occur. About two or<br />

three watts of light per square foot of floor area is recommended, with fixtures centered over<br />

the aisles.<br />

Ventilation and temperature control are critical to dry storage rooms <strong>for</strong> retarding deterioration<br />

of food supplies. A temperature range of 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C) is recommended.<br />

A thermometer placed in a highly visible location (<strong>for</strong> example, at the entrance) is essential.<br />

Fans or other specially designed systems should provide ventilation.<br />

To promote security, it is preferable to have only one entrance to the storage area so that<br />

deliveries and supplies can be monitored. Access should be limited to employees responsible <strong>for</strong><br />

inventory control and receiving. Secure locks should be installed on all doors, and keys should<br />

be carefully safeguarded (<strong>for</strong> example, by a key sign-out system). A door width of at least 42<br />

inches allows easy movement of supplies into and out of the area.<br />

Miscellaneous supplies and broken (open) case lots can be stored on adjustable metal<br />

shelves installed at least 2 inches from the walls. Specific guidelines <strong>for</strong> shelving and spacing<br />

between shelves are discussed in Chapter 21. The aisles between shelves and plat<strong>for</strong>ms should<br />

be wide enough to accommodate mobile equipment.<br />

Metal or plastic containers with tight-fitting covers should be used <strong>for</strong> storing dry foods<br />

such as cereals, cereal products, flour, sugar, and broken lots of bulk foods. Containers, which<br />

should be legibly and accurately labeled, can be placed on dollies <strong>for</strong> ease of movement from<br />

one place to another. <strong>Food</strong>s packed in glass should not be exposed to direct sunlight or any<br />

other strong light. When possible, purchase and store products in plastic containers rather than<br />

glass.<br />

Toxic materials used <strong>for</strong> cleaning and sanitation should be clearly labeled and kept in a<br />

locked storage area away from food supplies. Empty food containers must never be used <strong>for</strong><br />

storing broken lots of toxic materials, nor must empty cleaning and sanitation containers be<br />

used to store food. <strong>Food</strong> should be stored only in food-grade containers.<br />

A worktable should be provided near the entrance of the storeroom <strong>for</strong> unpacking supplies,<br />

putting up small orders of bulk products, and assembling orders. Large and small scoops<br />

should be on hand <strong>for</strong> each food container in use, such as bins <strong>for</strong> flour, sugar, cereal, and so<br />

<strong>for</strong>th. Scales need to be accessible <strong>for</strong> weighing small and large quantities of food. Several types<br />

of mobile equipment, such as plat<strong>for</strong>m dollies and shelf trucks, may be needed <strong>for</strong> delivering<br />

supplies to the various work areas. Hand-washing facilities are essential and should be located<br />

near the storeroom entrance.<br />

A regular cleaning schedule should be developed and a staff member or crew assigned to<br />

the tasks of cleaning the floor, walls, ceiling, light fixtures, shelves, and equipment in the storeroom.<br />

Routinely, the food service director or a supervisor should inspect the area. Any violations<br />

of sanitation standards and facility policies should be corrected immediately.<br />

Fireproof refuse containers that are located in con<strong>for</strong>mance with local public health laws<br />

should be emptied at least daily. Leaking or bulging cans of food and spoiled foods must be

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