The condition for realization of HACCP in logistics

While the necessity of “Total HACCP” at all the process of follows has been expressed:

- getting materials, manufacturing, packing, and shipping,

- delivering to consumers,

it is apt to overlook HACCP at the stage of “logistics” in Japan.

The importance of logistics in supply chains

No matter how safely an item has been manufactured, everything gets ruined if the last point in a logistics line has a mistake. Simply put, delivering a “frozen” item by “chilled” or “ordinary temperature” should not happen. Conversely, such as delivering “ordinary temperature” by “frozen” or “chilled” should not happen either. Although it seems like common sense, mistakes that no one could imagine happen in the logistics workplace.

What is the total HACCP including logistics?

HACCP is originally the standard for the administration of which can control and analyze all risks of “Farm-to-Table”. 

Logistics is certainly included in there. For example, extreme heat in summer, it was said that there is a danger that the inside temperature of warehouse gets up nearly 50℃ depending on the facilities of the warehouse at the time when outside is over 40℃. 

Even if an item is condition free, it can’t avoid the possibility to transform the quality in this temperature. In addition, what should be recognized to be important other than temperature is the issue of the administration for sun light, lights, and moist. 

Even if warehouses, hardware such as transport trucks, or facilities are good, it will be hard to keep the quality with a lack of administration system.

Pending issues which have to be aimed to the reality.

The idea of total HACCP including logistics is comprised in ongoing ISO22000. However, it can be said that the difficulty level is still high according to the conditions for realization of HACCP such as installing germ removing facilities to shut off between inside and outside. There are heaps of other conditions for realization of HACCP as below:

1.    Shutting off between inside and outside: Facilities of germ removal system.

2.    Separation to clean or contamination area: to avoid the working lines crossing. (Arrivals and shipping)

3.    Having a defective product area outside. (Prevention of bird and beast damage, antibacterial measures are necessary)

4.    Strength of facilities and constructions: water, oil, chemicals, and etc.

5.    Drainability and air conditioning: incline of floor, drain cleanability (processing area), regulation of window or inlet/outlet port, germ removal facilities.

6.    Others: Insects and mice prevention, window or door screens, insect lights, and etc.

Like above, the control point for the part which has not required for ordinary warehouse will be getting included. More numbers of pending issues which need to be newly invested will be expected to be increased.

5S changed by HACCP

The management of logistics is about to be changed from logistics 5S to 7S according to the flow of this total HACCP. 7S includes “Seiri”(Sorting out), “Seiton”(Tiding up), “Seiketsu”(Clean), “Shitsuke”(Education), “Seisou”(Cleaning up) of 5S, as well as adding another 2 words of “Senjou”(Washing up) and “Sakkin”(Killing germ).

In the case that logistics HACCP has set as essential, the common sense of ordinary 5S will turn to 7S and will be becoming standard.

In fact, it is getting so important that there are now some materials-handling equipment introduced as “HACCP Supported”. It can be recognized that the period, which pallets or so of aseptic or antibacterial have been ordinary, has become.

To implement HACCP with low initial cost

However, facility investment, which enormous costs occur, can be started by major companies, but not by small and medium sized companies. Well, what should we do for keeping up with this flow of time as well as containing the initial costs?

The government provides financing system or support system for companies who implement HACCP, it can be considered to utilize as much as possible at first.

Although there many companies, the best way may be:

1. To select logistics companies who have robust compliances, policies, facilities.

2. To outsource logistics functions to them.

3. To cooperate with them.

Nowadays, HACCP is becoming a global standard in all industries which concern import and export as well as food vendors. Considering that the government support, it needs to work constructively and positively.