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Sysco & US Foods
Foodservice Pallet Requirements 2026
Florida Pallet Supply • Updated 2026-04-07
Florida Pallet Supply • Updated 2026-04-07
Sysco and US Foods are the two largest foodservice distributors in the United States, together serving over 600,000 restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, and hospitality businesses. Their pallet requirements reflect the food safety stakes of their supply chain - pallets must be food-grade clean, structurally sound, and compliant with FSMA and HACCP standards.
Sysco's Supplier Guidance Manual specifies the following pallet standards:
| Requirement | Sysco Standard |
|---|---|
| Pallet Type | GMA 48x40 wood pallet - new or Grade A recycled from food-safe sources |
| Food Grade | No chemical, pesticide, or hazardous material contact history |
| Structural | No broken boards, split stringers, or protruding fasteners |
| Treatment | ISPM-15 heat treatment required for any imported product |
| Prohibited | MB (methyl bromide) treated pallets absolutely prohibited in food supply chains |
| Max Weight | Per Sysco SKU spec - typically 1,500-2,000 lb for refrigerated items |
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| Requirement | US Foods Standard |
|---|---|
| Pallet Size | 48x40 GMA or 48x40 block pallet |
| Condition | Grade A - food contact surfaces clean, no odor contamination |
| Chemical History | Pallets must have no prior chemical, pesticide, or non-food cargo history |
| ISPM-15 | Required for all imported products |
| Plastic Pallets | Accepted for specific programs (cold chain, cleanroom) |
Both Sysco and US Foods explicitly prohibit methyl bromide-treated pallets. MB was once used as a fumigant before ISPM-15 mandated heat treatment for international trade. MB residue poses food safety risks. When sourcing pallets for foodservice supply chains, always verify your supplier sources ISPM-15 HT-marked (not MB-marked) pallets. Florida Pallet Supply supplies only ISPM-15 HT-certified pallets for food-contact applications.
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