Why FIFO (First In, First Out) Matters in Food Logistics

In food logistics, every decision affect safety, shelf life, and customer trust. FIFO, short for First In, First Out, might sound like warehouse basics. But in practice, it plays a critical role in maintaining product quality, preventing recalls, and staying audit ready.

What Is FIFO in Food Logistics?

FIFO is a rotation method where older stock is shipped or used before newer stock. It ensures products are distributed in the same order they were received, aligning storage practices with expiration dates and product freshness.

This is not just good housekeeping. It is an essential principle in regulated food logistics.

Why FIFO Supports Food Safety

Food storage is a risk management challenge. Poor rotation allows older inventory to linger and degrade, increasing the chance of spoilage or contamination.

FIFO directly supports HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), a globally recognized system for reducing risks in food production. HACCP identifies time and temperature as key risk points. FIFO reduces the time food spends in storage and helps maintain proper temperature control windows.

It also ties into SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification, a food safety standard that requires clear traceability and storage protocols. FIFO ensures that inventory turnover follows a consistent, auditable pattern, one that SQF auditors expect to see.

Operational Benefits Beyond Compliance

Yes, FIFO keeps you compliant. But it also helps your business run better by:

• Reducing food waste by minimizing expired or forgotten inventory
  
• Improving traceability in the event of a recall
  
• Streamlining picking processes with predictable product flows
  
• Lowering holding costs by accelerating inventory turnover

It also helps staff make faster decisions. When everyone follows FIFO, it eliminates guesswork on the warehouse floor.

FIFO Is the Foundation of Safe and Efficient Food Logistics

In food logistics, there is no room for outdated product or inefficient storage. Warehouse teams need to understand why FIFO matters, and what happens when it is ignored.

Because the reality is, FIFO protects customers, meets regulatory requirements, and cuts waste. And when done right, it strengthens the entire supply chain.

The Pacific Coast Distribution Calgary Warehouse is a state of facility providing full-service transportation and warehouse storage services to manufacturers across Canada and the US.

Our asset-based freight transportation, industry knowledge, and strategic location can vastly improve your supply chain and distribution services.