BGDC HACCP Certification Expands Food Safety Leadership

BGDC Expands Food Safety Leadership with New HACCP Certifications

BGDC Distribution is proud to announce that three members of our team have earned their HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) certifications: Stephanie Mei, Process & Compliance Manager; Kelsey Conley, Safety and Risk Supervisor, St. Louis; and Brion Zobrist, Safety and Risk Manager, Roanoke.

HACCP certification is a rigorous food safety credential that trains professionals to identify, evaluate, and control hazards throughout the supply chain. By expanding our bench of HACCP-certified leaders, BGDC strengthens our ability to protect product integrity for every customer we serve.

“At BGDC, we know the importance of food safety because we know that what we ship today could end up on our dinner tables tomorrow,” said Christoph F. Erdel, Senior Director of Customer Experience. “Keeping our leadership team trained on the latest information ensures that we are keeping customer product food safe for everyone’s dinner table.”

What Is HACCP and Why Does It Matter for Cold Storage?

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points, a systematic, prevention-first approach to food safety recognized by the FDA, USDA, and international regulatory bodies. Rather than relying on end-product inspection, HACCP identifies potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards before they occur and sets critical control points to prevent, eliminate, or reduce risks to acceptable levels.

For cold storage and distribution operations like BGDC, temperature control is the cornerstone of HACCP compliance. Deviations in temperature can compromise product safety within minutes, making continuous monitoring and trained personnel essential to protecting perishable goods.

The seven core principles of HACCP are conducting a hazard analysis, determining critical control points, establishing critical limits, setting monitoring procedures, defining corrective actions, verifying the system, and keeping complete records. Each principle builds on the next to create a defensible, science-based food safety system.

Building on BGDC’s Food Safety Commitment

These new HACCP certifications build on BGDC’s established commitment to warehouse logistics safety and food safety. Earlier this year, our Roanoke facility achieved SQF (Safe Quality Food) recertification with a score of 96%, up from 94% the previous year. SQF certification covers 17 different areas of operations and requires every department working together to maintain compliance.

Together, HACCP and SQF represent complementary layers of food safety assurance. HACCP focuses on hazard prevention and critical control points, while SQF provides a complete framework for food safety management systems. Having certified leaders across both programs strengthens product protection for our food and beverage distribution partners.

Why HACCP Certification Matters for 3PL Partners

For companies evaluating cold storage and distribution partners, HACCP certification signals a commitment to systematic, preventive food safety rather than reactive problem-solving. Certified teams maintain rigorous controls over temperature, contamination, and product integrity, which are critical differentiators when choosing a partner.

The business case for HACCP extends beyond compliance. A documented hazard plan gives teams clear standard operating procedures, consistent monitoring, and a defined corrective action path when a reading falls outside its limits.

As consumer expectations for food safety and transparency rise, and as regulatory pressure grows, partnering with a cold storage provider that has HACCP-certified leaders is increasingly a baseline requirement for food and beverage companies protecting their brand and their customers.

Investing in People Who Protect Your Product

At BGDC, we believe that quality is crafted by skilled professionals who take pride in what they do. Stephanie, Kelsey, and Brion represent the caliber of leadership that defines our approach to food safety. Their HACCP certifications help ensure that critical control points are maintained across our St. Louis and Roanoke facilities, giving our customers confidence that their products are protected from receiving dock to delivery.

These newly certified leaders will partner with teams across our facilities to strengthen food safety controls for our customers, reinforcing what People, Process, and Precision mean in action.

About BGDC Distribution

Founded in 2022, BGDC Distribution brings over one hundred years of collective experience in supply chain logistics management. Serving Food and Beverage, Retail and E-Commerce, Consumer Packaged Goods, and Industrial and Manufacturing customers, BGDC operates over 3 million square feet of temperature-controlled and ambient warehousing with 99.5% order accuracy, supported by purpose-built technology. Our focus remains on dependable logistics built on strong relationships.

To learn more about how BGDC protects your products with rigorous food safety standards, explore our services.