Do food chemicals need to be in locked storage?

We purchase bulk drums of trace minerals to add to our product. Do they need to be locked in a chemical cage?

Yes- if for no other reason that deliberate (or accidental) addition putting the minerals over the safe consumption value (i.e. toxic)

Plus-pretty sure they are not cheap------disgruntled employees have been known to help themselves to all kinds of things for personnel or vexatious gain

Thanks Scampi

Scampi is usually on top of things! 

Technically, no....but the caveat is you must have them secured in some fashion to minimize the risk of intentional adulteration or misuse.  The way you secure if up to you.

Yes they need to be in a locked area per the SQF. Part of food defense and safety

If you aren't able to get them into a locked area, then you could always do a Risk Assessment for the method of storage you do choose to use.  

For example- we do not have, nor can we place, a chemical cage in our main production facility.  We rely on auto titrators, and training of employees.  So we have done a risk analysis of our system to show that even though the chemicals are not locked up, they are not used improperly. 

Just saying..."secured" or "controlled" does not mean "locked".  There are a number of ways to "secure" or "control" items / things.  With food ingredients you want to ensure they are secured and their usage is controlled.

Cleaning chemicals are not the same as food ingredients that the OP mentioned.  I think the use of "chemical" is a misnomer in this instance since the material is an ingredient in the food.