Why Transport & Storage Matter More Than Ever in FSSC 22000 V6

Food safety doesn’t end at the factory door.
We’ve seen too many businesses focus on production and forget that transport and storage are just as critical in preventing contamination, spoilage, or cross-contact.

At QSE Academy, we’ve helped logistics companies, distributors, and cold-chain operators implement FSSC 22000 V6 and ISO/TS 22002-5.
What we’ve noticed is simple: the safest products can still fail if the truck, warehouse, or route isn’t properly controlled.

In this guide, we’ll unpack exactly what FSSC 22000 V6 expects from transport and storage operations — and how you can meet those requirements without complicating your logistics workflow.

Understanding FSSC 22000 V6 Scope for Transport & Storage

Under the FSSC 22000 scheme, Category G covers transport and storage activities — whether you move finished goods, raw materials, or packaging.
These operations must meet ISO/TS 22002-5 prerequisites and the core ISO 22000:2018 clauses for an FSMS.

If you run distribution centers, cold-chain vehicles, or even ambient warehouses, your FSMS must address hygiene, temperature, segregation, and documentation at every step.

Pro Tip:
Define your operational scope clearly — are you responsible for primary transport, temporary storage, or third-party dispatch? Each setup has different control points.

Common Mistake:
Using manufacturing PRPs instead of logistics-specific ones. ISO/TS 22002-5 exists for a reason — it reflects the realities of movement, not production.

Core ISO/TS 22002-5 PRP Specifications for Logistics

The ISO/TS 22002-5 standard gives you the blueprint for hygienic transport and storage.
Here are the areas auditors focus on most:

Focus Area	What’s Expected
Facility & Vehicle Design	Smooth, cleanable surfaces; airflow control; pest prevention; physical separation of zones
Temperature Control	Calibrated monitoring devices; validation of refrigeration systems; corrective-action logs
Cleaning & Sanitation	Written schedules for trucks, containers, and storage areas
Product Segregation	Clear labeling and space separation to prevent allergen or raw/ready-to-eat cross-contact
Loading & Unloading	Hygienic transfer methods; pallet integrity; minimal exposure time
Traceability & Documentation	Lot and batch tracking from dispatch to delivery

Real Example:
A cold-chain distributor we worked with installed wireless temperature sensors linked to their FSMS dashboard. It cut temperature-related non-conformities to zero within six months.

Integration with ISO 22000:2018 FSMS Clauses

Your logistics processes aren’t separate — they’re part of your FSMS under Clause 8 (Operation) of ISO 22000.

Document your procedures for:

• Loading and unloading
• Vehicle cleaning
• Temperature deviation response
• Product segregation

Pro Tip:
Combine your PRP records with your risk assessments. When auditors see that logistics risks are integrated into your FSMS, it shows maturity and system coherence.

Common Mistake:
Treating logistics as an external service rather than a controlled process within your certified scope.

Key FSSC 22000 V6 Additional Requirements Affecting Logistics

Version 6 introduced several Additional Requirements that directly impact transport and storage operations:

• 2.5.1 Management of Services & Purchased Materials — Evaluate and approve subcontracted carriers.
• 2.5.3 Food Defense — Secure vehicles, control seals, and prevent tampering.
• 2.5.5 Environmental Monitoring — Inspect and verify hygiene in storage zones.
• 2.5.9 Food Waste & Water Use — Manage returns, wastewater, and cleaning discharge responsibly.
• 2.5.10 Packaging Handling — Control reusable containers and pallets to prevent contamination.

Pro Tip:
Develop a “Transport & Storage Compliance Matrix.” Map each FSSC clause to your internal SOPs so gaps are instantly visible before audits.

Managing Risks in Transport & Storage

Transport and storage introduce unique food-safety hazards: temperature fluctuations, packaging damage, cross-contamination, and delays.

Start by mapping every step — from loading to delivery — and identifying where risks arise.
Apply HACCP principles to those steps just as you do in production.

Example:
A beverage distributor linked GPS tracking with temperature alarms. When sensors detected a rise above 8 °C, the driver was alerted immediately. This single upgrade eliminated costly spoilage events.

Pro Tip:
Include all logistics steps in your HACCP flow diagram — it shows auditors you control the entire chain, not just manufacturing.

Documentation, Monitoring & Verification

Auditors will expect detailed, verifiable records.
That includes:

• Vehicle-cleaning logs
• Temperature records
• Calibration certificates
• Route and delivery logs
• Non-conformance reports

Pro Tip:
Use digital forms or mobile apps so drivers and warehouse staff can upload data instantly. This cuts paperwork errors and boosts traceability.

Common Mistake:
Failing to keep evidence for outsourced carriers — even if you subcontract transport, you’re still responsible for ensuring they follow your FSMS standards.

Training & Competence for Drivers and Warehouse Staff

Training isn’t just for plant operators — drivers and warehouse teams must understand food safety too.

They should know how to:

• Maintain hygiene and personal cleanliness
• Handle allergens and segregate materials
• Monitor and document temperatures
• Report incidents or deviations immediately

Pro Tip:
Keep training short and regular — five-minute refreshers every month are more effective than one-day seminars.

Example:
One logistics company introduced quick toolbox talks at the start of each shift. Within weeks, temperature-record accuracy jumped to 98 %.

Audit Preparation for Category G Operations

When auditors visit, they’ll want to see your system in motion. Expect them to:

• Inspect vehicle cleanliness and loading practices
• Check calibration and maintenance records
• Review subcontractor evaluations
• Observe how deviations are managed in real time

Pro Tip:
Run an internal mock audit that follows an actual delivery — from vehicle entry to product release.
Common Mistake:
Ignoring temporary storage between transport legs. Every stop counts as a controlled environment.

FAQs — Transport & Storage Under FSSC 22000 V6

Q1: Can a transport company get FSSC 22000 V6 certification on its own?
Yes. If it manages any part of the food supply chain and controls product safety, it can certify under Category G using ISO 22000 + ISO/TS 22002-5.

Q2: Do ambient warehouses need temperature monitoring?
Yes — if temperature impacts product integrity. Even non-refrigerated areas should have validated storage conditions.

Q3: How often should vehicles be cleaned?
At minimum, after every load or per your risk-based schedule. High-risk goods demand stricter frequency and verification.

Conclusion — Building a Safe, Efficient Food-Logistics System

Your FSMS doesn’t stop at production — it travels with your products.
FSSC 22000 V6 and ISO/TS 22002-5 make sure transport and storage operations protect what your plant worked so hard to make safe.

When your vehicles, warehouses, and staff follow documented, validated controls, you’re not just compliant — you’re reliable.

At QSE Academy, we help logistics providers and food producers align their entire supply chain with FSSC 22000 V6 through templates, checklists, and focused training.