What Are the GMA Pallet Guidelines for Food Industry Pallets? (2024)

Grocery stores, distribution centers and manufacturing plants all use pallets to handle food and beverages. To ensure the process of moving products between warehouses and locations is quick and standardized, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), now known as the Consumer Brands Association (CBA), has established a set of guidelines for all food industry pallets.

These GMA pallet guidelines contain detailed dimensions and specifications, as well as quality classification parameters.

What are the specifications of GMA pallets?

Pallets manufactured to GMA specifications are typically referred to as GMA pallets. A GMA pallet is one of the six most common size pallets, and is by far the most popular size in the US. A GMA pallet has:

  • An overall footprint of 48” by 40”
  • A minimum load-bearing capacity of 2,500 pounds
  • Four-way forklift entry with two notches on the side
  • Top and bottom deck boards are a minimum of 1/2 inch thick
  • A 5 1/2″ x 40″ board on each end of the pallet top, and five 3 1/2″ x 40″ boards in the center
  • A 5 1/2″ x 40″ board on each end of the pallet bottom, and three 3 1/2″ x 40″ boards between the notches

What are the different grades of GMA pallets?

The GMA pallet is a recycled pallet categorized into two general grades: A and B. In certain regions, these categories may be referenced to as #1 and #2.

What Are the GMA Pallet Guidelines for Food Industry Pallets? (1)

Grade A Standard GMA Pallet

A Grade A or #1 is the higher quality recycled pallet of the two. These are products that are generally in good condition. These pallets may feature mending plates or staples, but cannot include block or companion board repairs.

Within the Grade A GMA Pallet product segment, there are two subcategories: Premium Grade and Standard Grade.

The most significant difference between the Premium Grade and Standard Grade pallets is the presence of a wide-lead (nominal 6″) lead boards on both the top and bottom decks. Premium Grade A pallets should have 6″ lead boards on both the top and bottom. Some Standard Grade A pallets may include wide-lead boards soley on the top and be considered a Standard Grade A.

Summary

  • No block repairs to stringers
  • Lead board chip-back breakage of up to 1” x 8” acceptable
  • Each stringer may have one set of repair plates or staples to strengthen any split
  • Minimal small black-out markings on sides acceptable

What Are the GMA Pallet Guidelines for Food Industry Pallets? (2)

Grade B Standard GMA Pallet

Grade B or #2 pallets show indication of more extensive use than Grade A pallets. They may be worn and discolored, or have broken stringers that have been repaired with companion runners.

Summary

  • Block/Plug repairs to stringers acceptable
  • Block/Plugs can be in various locations & of various lengths
  • No more than two extra blocks (stringers) thick at any one point
  • Lead board chip-back breakage of up to 1” x 20” acceptable
  • Popular for those that can accept the standard due to lower cost compared to Grade A pallets.

Visual Comparing The Various Grades

Custom Specifications for the Food Industry

At Kamps, we understand that not every situation is the same. As a food processor or manufacturer, you may have customers with varied demands. As the experts at 48×40 GMA pallets, we have the ability to work with your organization and your customers to outline custom grade expectations that ensure all parties are satisfied.

Why Work With Kamps

At Kamps, we sort, repair and deliver thousands of GMA pallets every day – you could say it’s our specialty. Our first and main location, in Grand Rapids, Michigan is home to many food processors and manufacturers, as well as grocery stores and restaurants. Our clients rely on Kamps to provide the pallets that keep this food chain moving so that fresh and packaged food gets to their customers on time and in good condition. We take this responsibility very seriously.

We also make it a point at Kamps to standardize these grades across all locations nationwide. Because we believe that our customers, and their clients, deserve consistent quality and a partner that can meet expectations – regardless of size.

If your business uses GMA pallets and you would like to discuss which grade pallet would best meet your needs and your company’s budget, contact us today. We’d love to go through your options and supply you with a great pallet at a great price.

This article was originally published on Oct 30, 2018 and updated on June 3rd, 2020.

What Are the GMA Pallet Guidelines for Food Industry Pallets? (2024)

FAQs

What Are the GMA Pallet Guidelines for Food Industry Pallets? ›

What is GMA Pallet? As part of their efforts to make distribution operations smoother, the Grocery Manufacturers Association recommended a standard pallet footprint of 48″x40″. Pallets of these dimensions are now commonly referred to as GMA pallets and are widely used in North America and beyond.

What is a GMA pallet standard? ›

What is GMA Pallet? As part of their efforts to make distribution operations smoother, the Grocery Manufacturers Association recommended a standard pallet footprint of 48″x40″. Pallets of these dimensions are now commonly referred to as GMA pallets and are widely used in North America and beyond.

What are the standards for food grade pallets? ›

Every pallet must have a 5½-inch x 40-inch board on each end on both the top and bottom of the pallet. Five 3½-inch x 40-inch boards make up the top surface, while three 3½-inch x 40-inch boards fill the base. The 48-inch x 40-inch pallet is the most popular size in the United States.

What are the FDA requirements for pallets? ›

What Are FDA Approved Pallets? An FDA pallet is usually blue, although they can also come in black, gray, red, green, yellow and beige, and must be made using virgin plastic resin. No recycled plastic can be used due to the possibility of contaminating the food chain with unknown chemicals or solvents.

What are the safety guidelines for pallets? ›

The safest way to move a pallet is to stand it on its edge and slide it across the floor. Be sure to never leave or store a pallet on its side or on its end. Pallets stored this way can fall and cause injury. Never throw a pallet for any reason.

What is a 4-way GMA pallet? ›

A GMA pallet is one of the six most common size pallets, and is by far the most popular size in the US. A GMA pallet has: An overall footprint of 48” by 40” A minimum load-bearing capacity of 2,500 pounds. Four-way forklift entry with two notches on the side.

How many GMA pallets fit on a 53 trailer? ›

When understanding 53-foot trailer dimensions and weight. Calculations show a 53-foot trailer (636” long) can hold 13 pallets lengthwise, with an extra 1 foot. These wide trailers fit two rows of pallets. So loaded into every 53-foot trailer, the answer is is 26 pallets.

What are the OSHA rules for pallets? ›

Pallets must be positioned in a stable manner to avoid collapse or sliding when stacking goods on it. Avoid keeping stacked pallets in high traffic areas. Stack pallets up to 15 feet high, however, this will depend on the type of goods you stored on them. Do not stack products only on one side of the pallet.

What makes a pallet food-grade? ›

Our food-grade plastic pallets feature superior chemical, bacterial and general contamination resistance. This kind of protection is an absolute must for food and beverage industry operations. It takes very little contamination to ruin a food or beverage industry product and put end-users at risk.

What is a common standard for pallets? ›

What is a standard pallet size? The standard pallet size is 48"x40" with each deck board being 3 1/2" wide by 5/16" thick.

What pallets to avoid? ›

Do not use pallets with an "MB" stamp for any purpose. Never burn any treated wood products, whether it be pallet parts or treated lumber.

What are the requirements for pallets? ›

The dimensions for standard export pallets is 1200mm×800mm (31.50”×47.24”) and is one of the six approved ISO Pallet sizes. The two most popular pallet sizes used in Asia are the square 1100mm x 1100mm (43.30″ × 43.30″) pallet and the 1200mm x 1000mm (39.37″ × 47.24″) pallet.

Why can't you use blue pallets? ›

should avoid pallets which are painted (the blue, red and brown ones are usually collected and reused by the pallet company which supplies them). You should also avoid any pallets with a MB stamp. This stands for Methyl Bromide which is a harmful chemical used to prevent wood eating insects consuming the pallets.

What is the code for wooden pallets? ›

HS Code of WOODEN-PALLET used in Trade Shipment Data
HS CodeProduct DescriptionExport Data
44152000Pallets, box pallets and other load boards; pallet collarsView Export Data
40025900OtherView Export Data
70200090OtherView Export Data

What is the OSHA standard for pallet racking? ›

OSHA sets no specific standards for pallet rack capacity. Instead, they refer to the regulations the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) set in standard MH16. 1-2023. These ANSI racking standards lay out how pallet racks should be designed, tested, and used.

What is a safe pallet height? ›

According to NFPA guideline 34.10. 3.3, idle pallet stacks should not exceed 15 feet in height. Taller stacks are slower and less safe to move, requiring a forklift to make them shorter. Form a strong base.

What does GMA stand for? ›

Good Morning America (often abbreviated as GMA) is an American morning television program that is broadcast on ABC.

What size are GMA stringer pallets? ›

Stringers are 1 1/8" - 1 3/8" x 3 1/2" x 48". Stringers have two notches in the side to allow for forklift entry. This makes it a 4-way pallet. Top and bottom deck boards are 1/2" - 5/8" thick.

How many GMA pallets fit on a truck? ›

If your pallets are standard-sized (48″ x 40″ x 48″): A 53ft truck can fit 26 non-stackable pallets and 52 stackable, standard-size pallets.

What is a standard CHEP pallet? ›

The standard CHEP UK pallet size is 1200 x 1000 mm. Pallet height is 150mm. Standard euro pallet size measure 1200 x 800 mm. Our wide range of CHEP pallets and containers can maximize your supply chain efficiency and performance.

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