Security concerns in storage areas, and maintaining product quality during storage.

After management identifies the items that are to be tightly controlled and which locations are to be considered storage areas, security procedures can be designed to ensure that those items remain in those locations until they are issued to production areas.

The following paragraphs describe measures that can help keep storage areas secure.

• Limit Access
• Lock Storage Areas
• Minimize Behind-Bar Storage
• Control Storeroom Keys

Maintaining Quality during Storage

Improper storage practices can reduce the quality of products in storage. In fact, most food products, including frozen foods, experience a loss in quality if stored too long.

While this is especially true for foods, it also applies to some wines and most beers. it is important that control procedures designed to minimize the loss of quality of products in storage be strictly followed. Food costs increase as items judged unfit for use are discarded and replaced. If, because of pressure to keep food costs down, lower-quality products are served to guests, there may be serious marketing implications. Procedures for maintaining quality during storage are discussed in the following paragraphs.

• Rotate Products. Implement the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory rotation method. 
• Ensure a Properly Controlled Environment.
• Implement Effective Sanitation Practices.
• Ensure Proper Storage.