February 15, 2016
10 Things About Temperature Controlled Food Transportation
As transportation has evolved, especially in relation to trucking, certain changes have allowed companies to take valuable steps in moving forward to serve their customers. One of those specific areas deals with temperature controlled food transportation, which has brought about advancements that are important to the health and well-being of consumers around the world.
Such transport is generally handled by a food grade carrier which knows that different perishable foods require specific temperatures during the course of any travels. Regardless of the food grade hauling company that performs this task, listed below are 10 facts to know about temperature controlled food transportation:
- Any credible food grade carrier makes sure to follow the rules of Food Safety Modernization Act from the Food and Drug Administration. This covers areas like measuring the cargo temperature before any load is accepted and the amount of training each driver of a food grade hauling company receives.
- Properly trained drivers make sure that they’re aware of the specific cargo they’re carrying. They also make sure to check the temperature of the container throughout the course of their travels.
- Far too much food is either rejected by recipients or eventually thrown out because of a compromised condition of the cargo. That affects the bottom line of both buyer and seller, and eventually the consumer.
- This segment of the food shipping industry is increasing, due to more interest in improving individual diets. Consuming more perishables like fruits and vegetables means maintaining a greater focus on keeping cargo temperatures controlled is needed.
- When it comes to perishable items, not all things are created equally. For example, items like bananas can be maintained longer in temperature-controlled environments than items like meats or seafood. In the latter case, freezing is required, whereas bananas can manage in warmer temperatures.
- With regard to potential product spoilage, awareness of the temperature range for potential development of bacteria is important. Generally, anything over 40 degrees becomes vulnerable, with an absolute time limit of two hours before the product is considered spoiled.
- Software is available to transportation companies that allows both the company and customers involved to check on the status of a delivery. This allows for immediate attention to any maintenance issues.
- In the case of liquid food transport, the tankers need to undergo a rigorous cleaning after every trip. That’s due to the changing nature of the products carried within and the requirements of organizations that deal with this aspect of the industry.
- Carrying Kosher foods requires an even more stringent focus on cleanliness, coupled with an awareness of the three most recent trips of the truck carrying the cargo. Kosher specifications are in place that regulate the temperature required for the steam cleaning that takes place. In addition, the tanker of the food grade carrier must not have carried non-Kosher foods in any of their last three trips.
- Customers need to be aware that when either loading or unloading temperature controlled food is done from the street. That potentially exposes the product to warm air. Also, others require trucks to stay running during this process, which can cause excessive defrost and ice buildup.
Therefore, choosing the right company to handle your temperature controlled food transportation is vitally important. That’s because it makes sure that the product that’s either sent out or delivered maintains its viability.
Kan-Haul is a food grade hauling company that has the experience and know-how to accomplish such tasks. Contact us when you want professional delivery.
