Manual of Naval Preventive Medicine
Chapter 1: Food Service Sanitation
Section V: Storage and Care of Food Items

1-32. Semiperishable Food Items.

Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

1. The term "semiperishable" refers to food items that are canned, dried, dehydrated, or otherwise processed to the extent that such items under normal circumstances may be stored in nonrefrigerated spaces. Spoilage will occur if items are mishandled, improperly stored, or stored too long. Semiperishable food items must be stored in clean, cool, dry, well ventilated storerooms and must be inspected regularly for signs of damage or spoilage. They must not be stored near steam or other heated pipes. Bagged items must be stored off the deck to permit proper circulation of air and ease of cleaning around the lots.

2. Semiperishable food items shall be considered overaged when stored in excess of the inspection test date marked on the case and/or the keeping time shown in the semiperishable food storage table (NAVSUP PUB 487, Volume 1, Chapter 5). The U.S. Army Veterinary Service, at stock points, inspects overaged food items and warehouse personnel mark the cases and/or the DD Form 1348-1 of those items that are in good condition to indicate that the keeping time has been extended. Even when items are not so marked, they will be considered fit for use if the container is in good condition and the food item has no offensive odor and is palatable. Overaged items are not considered suitable for continued storage unless they have been extended by a qualified inspector (see Article 1-6.2.a.). Extended food items must be consumed as soon as feasible. Items must not be surveyed solely because of age. Outdated food items will be surveyed only if a qualified inspector finds them to be unfit for human consumption.

3. When inspecting storerooms, the outward appearance of food containers and the condition of the foods must be checked. Food products stored in cartons and bags, such as flour, grits, beans, etc., can be easily torn exposing food to insect and rodent infestation. Torn or broken bags of food must be immediately used, transferred to insect-proof containers or surveyed. If an insect infestation is discovered, several specimens should be carefully collected and sent for species identification to the nearest military activity capable of identifying insects (see Article 1-32.4.). These commands should also be contacted to provide the latest and most cost efficient techniques for quickly eliminating the infestation. A report of suspected hazardous food items must be submitted as required by NAVSUP PUB 486, Volume 1, Article 4002. Heavily infested food, i.e. seven or more living or dead insects per pound must be surveyed (see MIL-STD-904A). Lightly infested food should be immediately removed, placed in a freezer for 72 hours, sifted to remove the insects and used as soon as possible, except as follows:

a. When an infestation is found to involve living or dead larval stages of an insect species belonging to the genus Trogoderma, or other dermestids, one insect within the product itself (not external) will be justification for the condemnation of the lot;

b. When an infestation is found to involve living or dead insect species belonging to the genus Tribolium, three insects per pound within the packages inspected will be justification for the condemnation of the lot.

4. It is important to remember that 72 hours will arrest the development of the infestation but will not kill all of the insects. To kill all insects in all stages the infested product must be kept at 0 degrees F for two weeks. When insect infestations are discovered, they must be treated in accordance with Chapter 8, Medical Entomology and Pest Control Technology, of this manual. Entomology laboratories for insect identification include:

a. U.S. Navy

(1) Navy Disease Vector Ecology and Control Center
Naval Air Station, Building 130
Alameda, California 94501-5039

(2) Navy Disease Vector Ecology and Control Center
Naval Air Station, Box 43
Jacksonville, Florida 32212-0043

(3) Preventive Medicine Service
Branch Clinic, Box 32, U.S. Naval Station
FPO San Francisco 96651-1612 (Subic Bay, Philippines)

(4) Occupational and Preventive Medicine Service
Box 244
U. S. Naval Hospital (Okinawa)
FPO Seattle 98778-1600

(5) There are four NAVENPVNTMEDUs see Appendix E of Chapter 5 of this manual for location and addresses.

b. U.S. Army

(1) Entomological Sciences Division
USAEHA
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
21010-5422

(2) Entomology Branch
USAEHA-West
Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center
Aurora, Colorado 80045 - 5001

(3) Entomology Branch
USAEHA-North
Fort Meade, Maryland 20755-5225

(4) Entomology Branch
USAEHA-South
Fort McPherson, Georgia 30330-5000

(5) USAPACEHA-Sigama, Japan
APO San Francisco 96343-0079

(6) Preventive Medicine 10th Medical
Laboratory-Attn: AEMML-PNM
APO New York 09180-3619

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Operational Medicine 2001

Health Care in Military Settings

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