Power interruption decision tool
Load-shedding, a substation fault or cable theft: when the power comes back, what do you sell, move, hold or destroy? Enter the cut, the generator cover and your probe readings. The tool applies the R638 limits and a company policy, and builds the power-interruption record. Nothing is sent anywhere.
This free practice tool is for store and DC quality controllers, persons in charge, deli, butchery and hot-food managers. No South African law sets a power-cut rule. Decisions rest on the R638 temperature limits plus a written company policy agreed with QA. The tool comes loaded with Khanya Fresh’s policy (a fictional retailer): an example, not law, which you can change to match your own. It is not the US “2-hour rule”, which is not South African law.
How to use this tool
- The cut. Enter when the power went off, when the generator started and when mains power came back. The Khanya Tembisa case (Tuesday 13 October 2026) is loaded, so you can start straight away.
- Units and generator. Mark which units the generator covers, any door left open, the restart sequence and the fuel log. The timeline shows which units had no power, and for how long.
- Products and decisions. For each product, enter the probe readings (core and surface) with their times, and the logger time it passed its limit. Choose your own decision first, then compare it with the tool’s: sell, move and re-probe, hold for QA, or destroy.
- Record. Download the power-interruption record as a spreadsheet, or print it for the PIC and QA to sign.
Decide on the probed product temperature and the time above the limit, never on the clock alone. Probe the units the generator does not cover first.
// The course behind this tool
Know the limits, take readings that tell the truth, and defend every call
This tool is one practical from Food Quality Controller Fundamentals: Retail, DC and Wholesale (FS60-0601). Module 3 teaches the R638 core and surface limits and their exemptions, probing and the ice-point check, cabinet and online-order checks, power interruptions and temperature logs that stand up to an auditor. The other modules cover receiving, dates and shelf walks, fresh departments, labels and allergens, and recalls.
This tool stays free. Also free: the Shelf and Date-Code Walk, 30 items to flag against R146 and R638.