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BRC certification is an important quality marker for ambient food storage, as well as for chilled and frozen goods. Although ambient food products are shelf-stable and don’t require refrigeration or freezing, food safety laws still govern ambient food warehouses. These are designed to ensure public health and supply chain safety.
What Does Ambient Mean in Food?
Ambient comes from the Latin verb ambre, which means,“to surround”. It is used to describe the natural environment, such as the standard temperature (ambient temperature) or light (ambient light) found in a specific place. In the food industry, “ambient” typically means a dry, stable, enclosed environment.
Ambient foods are those that can be safely stored in these ambient conditions; they do not require refrigeration or freezing for preservation. These foods achieve a long shelf life through other methods like canning, drying, or technical packaging, which keep bacteria from multiplying without needing a cold chain.
Cupboard staples such as dried grains, pastas and pulses, as well as the ubiquitous Heinz beans or soup, can be safely stored in any ambient space from a warehouse to a kitchen cupboard. In this case, the instruction to, “store in a cool, dry place” applies to pallets as well as packets!
Ambient Storage Definition
Ambient storage is room-temperature storage, but it is not confined to rooms! It can be any space where something is stored, including transport, such as 3PL vans and lorries, as well as buildings.
Ambient Warehouses
These are standard, dry storage facilities designed for non-perishable or shelf-stable goods like canned foods, dry grains, bottled beverages, paper products, clothing, and electronics. They protect stock from weather, moisture, and pests; they rely on natural ambient conditions rather than HVAC cooling or freezing units.
Ambient Lorries (Trucks & Trailers)
Standard vehicles operate at ambient temperatures. This means that their cargo will match the environmental conditions of the surrounding area. This is in contrast to cold chain specialists, where vehicles are specially adapted for chilled or frozen transport.
Ambient Food Storage Warehouse
Ambient food storage warehouses run at room temperature, so these types of warehouses are suitable for storing shelf-stable goods that do not require refrigeration or freezing.
Food safety and regulatory compliance standards remain essential for any warehouse storing ambient foods, food packaging or any other food supply products, which is why BRC certification still matters.
Ambient food warehouses should be dry, well-ventilated and well-maintained spaces. They should also be regularly cleaned and inspected and have an effective pest control programme.
How to Find an Ambient Food Warehouse Near You
Ambient foods operate on high volumes and steady turnover, so transportation costs have a major impact on profitability. Storing in an ambient food warehouse near your business minimises those mileage costs. It also offers other advantages: the shorter the supply chain, the lower the risk of loss and damage. Site visits and stock checks are quicker and easier when your goods are stored nearby, saving your team time and money.
There are a few key questions that can help you find the right ambient food warehouse partner for your business.
Do they have availability at your required location?
Large providers will have multiple storage locations. A search on Google may show they have a warehouse at the right location, but it may not have availability. It is worth checking where your goods will be held, particularly if you require regular stock checks and stock movements.
What level of BRC Certification do they hold?
All BRC certificates are not the same! An AA grade is the highest BRC certification. The certification also has to be renewed every year, so it is important to check that the accreditation is valid. You can visit the BRCGS directory to verify the BRC status of your provider.
What type of food storage services do they offer?
Do not, “over-spec” your storage. Paying for unnecessary specialist services for your goods is a waste of money. Working with a BRC-certified ambient warehouse provider gives you the right level of quality assurance, without paying for the unnecessary costs of cold chain warehouses.
Can they offer 3PL and distribution support?
Ambient goods are often moved frequently. So if you need transport, partnering with a local 3PL service that can manage your storage and distribution needs can make sense. Delivering not just cost and operational efficiency, but a more robust supply chain.
BRC Standards: Storage and Distribution
The British Retail Consortium’s Global Standards are designed to ensure food safety and security across the complete supply chain. This means there are BRC standards for each stage of the food journey from production to plate, covering everything from packaging materials and food safety to retail, storage and distribution.
The BRCGS Storage and Distribution certification focuses on the transport and warehousing sector. There is a core shared framework, applicable whether the food storage facility is temperature-controlled or not. This means that every BRC audited warehouse is assessed under four main areas:
- Senior Management Commitment
- Hazard and Risk Management
- QMS and Product Safety
- Site and Transport Operating Standards
Senior Management Commitment
This recognises the need for leadership to provide adequate resources and strategic guidance. This aspect of certification is designed to test how effectively safety culture is embedded in the business. It requires evidence of continuous improvement frameworks and strategic direction to demonstrate how safety standards are maintained.
Hazard and Risk Management
The first step to minimising hazards is to understand them, so this element is all about risk assessment and prevention. Sites must have (and have evidence of) a clear hazard and risk management system. The process should include identifying potential physical, chemical, or biological risks to the products, as well as specific point of control and how to mitigate them.
Quality Management System (QMS) and Product Safety
When it comes to food safety, accurate documentation and traceability are essential. An effective QMS ensures procedures for document control, internal audits, corrective actions, supplier management, and complete end-to-end traceability are robust so any batch can be tracked immediately from receipt to final despatch.
Site and Transport Operating Standards
This is the most visible aspect of BRC, and arguably one of the most important. It covers the physical cleanliness and hygiene of the warehouse environment. There are strict criteria for maintenance of the fabric of the building, pest control, and cleaning schedules and staff training. It may also include stock tracking and rotation.
What Does it Mean to be BRC Certified?
If a firm is BRC certified, it means they have been independently audited and verified to have met a strict set of food quality and safety standards. BRCGS certification is the food safety credential most recognised in the UK. It is also benchmarked through the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), so it is widely accepted internationally by global food brands and manufacturers.
Three aspects of BRCGS certification make it particularly valuable for food businesses:
Graded
It is a graded certification, so the highest standards are properly assessed and recognised. AA is the highest tier, which means up to zero non-compliances were found at inspection. BRCGS AA is the baseline for many global food brands that need storage partners they can trust.
Timed
Certificates are only valid for one year, so facilities are checked and re-audited annually. Unannounced inspections also happen at least every 3 years. This means standards must be maintained over time for a business to stay BRCGS certified.
Standardised
Because BRCGS is an internationally recognised certification, it makes supply chain integrity and consistency simpler for global businesses. Whether the goods are raw ingredients or retail-ready products, BRCGS gives confidence that those standards have parity across suppliers.
Invo Fulfilment: Our BRC Certificate
Invo Fulfilment has received the top BRCGS grading for 5 years in a row across all our sites. This means we have been awarded the highest quality level across both standard and unannounced audits.
It means that the food suppliers, wholesalers and manufacturers that choose to work with us can trust us to store and transport their goods safely.
Invo Fulfilment has ambient food warehouses in the Midlands and Manchester areas, offering excellent nationwide coverage.
Click here to view Southam’s BRC Certificate and click here to view Hyde, Manchester’s BRC Certificate.
If you’d like to arrange a visit or to discuss your ambient food storage requirements, please get in touch; our experienced team are here to help.
