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"Let the fresh air in and keep the pests out!"

Bug Blocker® Industry Standards

In order to help our clients comply with the vast array of Food Safety & Security issues and regulations, Rasco Industries, Inc. will be monitoring the regulations coming from Washington. We will try to update this page regularly with the most relevant information pertaining to loading dock and service door regulations and suggestions for improvement for your facility we can find to help you comply.

A.I.B. Standards for Inspection

  • Windows and doors that must be kept open for ventilation are screened to prevent pest entry.
  • Ventilation is provided in product storage and processing areas to minimize odors, fumes and vapors
  • The building has Barriers in place to protect against birds, rodents, insects and other pests.
  • External doors, windows or other openings are closefitting or otherwise pest-proofed to less than 1/4 in. or 6mm.
  • If practical or possible, physical security measures that can include: Locked doors and controlled access.
  • Wildlife control measures are considered, where appropriate. Devices include: Wire, materials that prevent entry.
  • A.I.B. Integrated Pest Management states "While it is important to remove pests from a facility, it is more important to prevent pests from ever having the opportunity to thrive in a packaging environment."
A.I.B. Automatic Assessment of Unsatisfactory:
  • Dock or pedestrian doors not pest-proofed and rodent evidence noted in the facility.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration


Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance

Facility - Physical Security

  • Securing doors (including freight loading doors, when not in use and not being monitored, and emergency exits), windows, roof openings/hatches, vent openings, ventilation systems, utility rooms, ice manufacturing and storage rooms, loft areas.
  • Using metal or metal-clad exterior doors to the extent possible when the facility is not in operation, except where visibility from public thoroughfares is an intended deterrent
  • Minimizing the number of entrances to restricted areas

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE WASHINGTON, DC 5420.1, Revision

HOMELAND SECURITY THREAT CONDITION RESPONSE -RISK-BASED FOOD DEFENSE VERIFICATION PROCEDURES Shipping and Receiving – 08S17

  • Observe loading dock areas
  • Suggested Activities:
    • Check to determine whether the establishment has procedures in place to restrict or control access to the loading dock area and verify that the establishment has implemented these access control procedures.

AIB FOOD SECURITY GUIDELINES, EVALUATION CRITERIA 1.10

  1. Entrances to facility are minimized and monitored.
  2. Metal or metal clad doors utilized on entrances to facility.
  3. Metal or metalclad doors utilized on entrances to facility. Auditor should verify that metal or metalclad doors are utilized to the extent possible at the facility. During operation, such doors should be provided where unmonitored entrances are present in the facility to limit the concern for forced entry. All doors should be in a good state of repair and inspected regularly for integrity of operation. Ideal: Metal or metalclad doors provided on all non-monitored entryways during operation. Metal or metalclad doors provided on all entryways during nonoperation. Weakness: easily penetrable doors utilized on unmonitored doorways during operation or nonoperation.
  4. Physical barriers in place and/or access restricted to hazardous compounds, such as nitrite, cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, maintenance chemicals, pesticides, etc.
  5. Access restricted to authorized individuals in sensitive areas identified in assessment. Auditor should verify that individuals designated with clearance to the various sensitive areas have been identified. This access should be limited by physical means, electronic access, identification badges, or other suitable means.
  6. Physical barriers in place and/or access restricted to hazardous compounds, such as nitrite, cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, maintenance chemicals, pesticides, etc. Guide to Developing a Food Defense Plan for Warehouse and Distribution Centers 7 9.

USDA guide to developing a food defense plan Guide to Developing a Food Defense Plan for Warehouse and Distribution Centers:

Which of the following food defense procedures does your facility have in place for handling incoming shipments? Is access to loading docks controlled?

General Outside Security
Sample Vulnerabilities Potential Food Defense Measures
Open perimeter, allowing access to facility Secure all entry ways, windows, vents, loading bays, and other access points.
Exterior access to storage areas, loading docks, on site trailers used for cold and dry storage Fence exterior access points to storage structures. Secure all access points, including loading areas. Install exterior lighting. Use tamper-evident locks or seals on trailers.

Outside Security

  1. What food defense measures does your warehouse/distributorship have in place for the exterior of the building? Are the facility's grounds secured to prevent entry by unauthorized persons (e.g., by locked fence, gate or entry/exit doors, guard service)? SFQ 1000 Code – 5th Edition Jan 2010. Globally trusted food safety and quality certification States under
    1. Product Protection
    2. Doors, windows and loading docks must remain closed when not in use. Seals around exterior openings must be rodent and pest-proof.
    3. Dock doors must have protection to prevent contamination from exterior pests.
    4. Wall, ceilings, doors, frames and hatches shall be of solid construction.
    5. Particular care shall be taken to prevent packaging becoming a harborage for rats, mice or other vermin.
    6. Storage of chemicals, substances, medicines, and petroleum products states:
      • Be ventilated to the exterior;
      • Be secure and lockable to restrict access.

FSIS, USDA General Food Defense Plan Security Measures for Food Defense Outside Security Measures

  1. Physical Security
    • Plant boundaries are clear and secured to prevent unauthorized entry (for example, fences installed, no trespassing signs posted)
    • Entrances are secured
    • Other access points such as windows and vents are secured
    • Outside storage on the premises is protected from unauthorized access
  2. Shipping/Receiving Security
    • Loading dock access is controlled (for example, monitored or locked) Shipping / Receiving Security and Ingredients / Water / Ice Security Control access to loading docks to avoid unverified or unauthorized deliveries. Restrict access to product, ingredient, and packaging storage areas to designated employees only (for example, by locked door/gate).