Five ways Penske goes above and beyond the regulations to improve food safety and quality

Food safety is a top priority for food and beverage manufacturers and their logistics providers. Federal regulations require those involved in the transportation and distribution industries to meet specific food-safety standards.

Penske Logistics not only meets those regulations but also goes above and beyond to deliver proven results that keep our customers safe.

Here are Five Areas of Emphasis for Penske:

1. Equipment

The equipment used to transport food and beverage products plays a critical role in keeping them safe. Penske specs late-model equipment and ensures it is maintained properly to avoid any equipment failures. To further safeguard temperature-sensitive products, Penske utilizes advanced technology for continuous temperature control monitoring - both within our warehouse facilities and across our trailer fleet - ensuring cold chain integrity is maintained at every point in the supply chain.

2. Sanitation

Regulations stipulate that trailers must be cleaned and in good sanitary condition, but they provide little oversight as to what that means in practice. Penske puts customized policies and procedures in place to ensure all equipment is cleaned properly. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning, and cleaning procedures can vary based on the type of product being hauled.

Beyond our trailers, Penske's warehouse facilities are held to an equally rigorous standard. Our warehouses maintain an audit-ready level of cleanliness daily, with proactive protocols designed to prevent potential cross-contamination and ensure a safe environment for all food and beverage products at every stage of storage and handling.

3. Third-Party Audits

Federal food safety regulations don't require third-party audits of locations, but they are essential for ensuring all parties are meeting requirements and utilizing industry best practices. Additionally, many retailers require their providers to have an audit performed.

Penske pursues and achieves elite scores with Global Food Safety Initiatives (GFSI) audits - the most rigorous and widely accepted third-party audits across the industry supply chain - at both our warehouse facilities and within our transportation operations. Penske works closely with its customers to identify which audit framework best fits their business model and successfully integrates those standards into their broader business culture.

4. Training

Penske provides site-specific training for its customers and its own employees. Rather than relying on a single certification for the entire company, Penske has established a specialized Corporate Food Safety Resource Team and trains certified practitioners at all locations - ensuring food safety expertise is broadly distributed across the organization and readily available to support customer operations and reinforce safety culture. All certified associates hold credentials through the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance.

Drivers and warehouse associates handling certain products, such as meat or vegetables, must undergo training. However, as best practice, Penske provides specific training for all personnel who handle food or beverages - in both transportation and warehouse environments - even when it isn't required. Training is customized based on the customer and the product.

Penske also maintains its Cold Carrier Certification through the Global Cold Chain Alliance, which documents our compliance with cold chain best practices and enables us to proactively share those standards and insights directly with our customers.

5. Recordkeeping

Regulations require shippers and their logistics providers to maintain paperwork on everything from cleanings to driver training for a specified period - covering both transportation and warehouse facilities. These documents provide verification and validation for food safety practices. Penske provides detailed guidance on what paperwork to keep and how long it needs to be available, much of which is maintained electronically. Records are stored in ways that cannot be altered or adulterated in any way, providing full transparency and accountability across all areas of our food safety program.

Ready to Elevate Your Food Safety Standards?

Food safety is never a checkbox - it's a culture. From the technology monitoring temperatures in our trailers and warehouses, to the certified food safety experts embedded across every location, Penske Logistics takes a comprehensive, proactive approach that goes well beyond what regulations require. Our customers trust us with some of the most demanding food and beverage supply chains in the industry, and we take that responsibility seriously at every step of the journey.

Whether you're looking to strengthen your cold chain, achieve GFSI certification or build a more resilient food and beverage supply chain, we have the expertise, infrastructure and commitment to help you get there.

Contact us to learn how we can become your trusted food safety partner.

DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for general informational purposes only. Penske makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented; however, the information herein is provided without any warranty whatsoever, whether express, implied or statutory. In no event shall Penske be liable for (i) any direct, incidental, consequential, or indirect damages (including loss profits) arising out of the use of the information presented, even if Penske has been advised of the possibility of such damage, or (ii) any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies in connection with the information presented.