Storage area have proper ventilation and free from dampness. Adequate space for storage of different types of material, such as raw material, packaging material and finished products are there.
A. Raw Material Store
The raw material section is classified into two groups – Primary raw material store and Secondary/Final raw material store.
In Primary Raw Material Store, all raw materials procured from suppliers are stored. These are sorted, washed and screened and is transferred to Secondary/Final Raw Material Store.
All procured raw materials used for food processing are stored in appropriate bags/containers (jute bags and Plastic buckets) to protect the quality of the raw material as well as prevent it from damage due to dampness, microbiological contamination or rodent and insect infestation, etc.
These bags/containers are placed using suitable cabinization. Special care are taken to Fresh herbs, Excipients, Volatile oil/perfumes and Flavors.
Each container used for raw material storage are properly identified with the yellow, red and green colored label. Yellow, Green and Red colored label states UNDER TEST, APPROVED and REJECTED raw materials respectively.
All the raw materials are sampled and got tested by the in-house experts (Quality control technical person). The rejected raw material are removed from other raw materials store and kept in a separate room.
Procedure of ‘First in first out (FIFO)’ is adopted for raw materials. Records of the receipt, testing and approval or rejection and use of raw material are maintained.
B. Packaging Material Store
All packaging materials such as bottles, jars, tea bags etc. are stored properly using suitable cabinization. All containers and closures are adequately cleaned with RO water and dried before packing the products.
C. Finished Goods Store
The finished products transferred from the production area after proper packaging are stored in the finished goods stores within an area marked “Quarantine”.
After the in-house quality control laboratory and the experts have checked the correctness of finished goods with reference to its packing/labelling as well as the finished product quality as prescribed, then these are moved to “Approved Finished Goods Stock” area.
Only approved finished products are dispatched as per marketing requirements. Distribution records are maintained as required.
If any product needs special storage conditions, finished goods store will provide necessary environmental requirements.