Resources
Photo Protocol
A photo protocol for recording beef quality, packing condition, and receiving issues on South African sites.
How Photo Protocol helps on a busy floor
The Photo Protocol page sets a standard for recording product quality, packaging condition and receiving issues on site. It shows teams what to capture when checking beef on arrival, in storage or during a dispatch query. Good photo records make it easier to track lot condition across South African supply points.
Photograph the load before unloading is finished, while pallet wrap, labels, and carton corners still show their true condition. On South African receiving sites, light, condensation, and queue pressure can hide damage unless the sequence is fixed. Photograph the points that matter for beef, mixed protein lines, and any disputed delivery state.
Begin with the arrival shot at the truck or dock, then move to lot labels, outer cartons, and the product itself where packs are opened for inspection. Cold-room images matter as much as handover images because bloom, purge, and damaged seals often look different after storage. Keep the time, supplier reference, and site note with each set.
Receiving shots that matter
The aim is a photo record that someone else can read without guesswork. Include the full pallet, the affected carton count, close views of print and date coding, and any hygiene or temperature concern visible at handover. A useful set helps butchers, hotel kitchens, and export prep teams compare condition across separate sites.
When a query is raised, tie the image set to the delivery note and intake check. Add one wide image of the receiving area, then tighter shots of labels, torn wrap, wet cartons, or exposed product as applicable. If the issue concerns Baywest or another site, name the location in the notes and keep each lot photographed separately.
- Arrival photo before pallet is broken
- Labels, dates, and batch codes readable
- Damage, leakage, and seal issues logged
Checks for South African sites
Images need to suit the site you are working in, whether that is a Johannesburg cold store, a Durban coastal receiving bay, or a Cape Town export kitchen. Moisture on cartons, faded ink on labels, and mixed pallets after transfer are common reasons to slow down and document properly. Where product moves through OR Tambo, keep export marks and handling labels visible in at least one frame.
Load-shedding and generator changeovers can affect lighting, so use angles that still show carton damage and label detail clearly. Coastal humidity can soften board and make outer cases look worse by the time they reach storage. Inland sites often need extra attention on dust, dock condition, and whether cartons were kept off the ground during checks.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Image sequence for disputes
Use the Photo Protocol to record carcass condition, boxed stock, labels, and receiving areas with clear timing and notes on earlier issues.
File the images with the stock record, delivery note, and lot details while the load is still easy to identify. Keep them with the order summary and product specification when a buyer needs evidence on trimming, seal condition, label accuracy, or temperature handling.