Under FSIS guidelines, which security measures apply to shipping and receiving?

• A. Keep vehicles/trailers locked, closely monitor loading/unloading.
• B. Ignore loading/unloading procedures.
• C. Only monitor drivers.
• D. No security in shipping/receiving.

Answer: (A)

Security at shipping and receiving is about protecting the integrity of every shipment during a vulnerable moment. The best practice is to keep vehicles and trailers locked and to closely monitor loading and unloading. This combination provides both physical protection and active oversight, reducing opportunities for tampering, contamination, theft, or mix-ups, and helping ensure the correct products, quantities, and documentation are verified at handoff. In practice, locked vehicles deter unauthorized access, while attentive supervision during loading and unloading ensures procedures are followed, lots and labels are correct, and any deviations are caught immediately. Other approaches—ignoring procedures, only watching drivers, or having no security—leave gaps that could compromise product safety and regulatory compliance.