Shipping food, whether you own a food business or simply want to send meals to family or friends across the country, can be a tricky situation. It's critical to get these foods out as fast and efficiently as possible, or else, bacteria will begin to form. Here are a few pointers to consider when transporting food by mail.
The Difficulties of Shipping Frozen Foods or Cold Foods
Shipping just about any form of frozen or cold food presents significant hurdles. Here are a few examples:
Extremely High or Low Temperatures
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When the weather is extremely hot or cold, it has a significant impact on food items particularly if they aren't adequately packed to survive the severe temperatures.
Humidity
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Another big concern to food items is humidity, which is compounded by heat in general.
Spoilage
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When food is not adequately packaged with insulated boxes and refrigerated, it has a far higher possibility of spoiling before it is delivered to its intended receiver.
Shipping Food Safely by Mail
1) Getting Your Product Ready
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Consider pre-cooling or freezing your product before shipping it to avoid moisture. This will ensure that the product will remain cooler for longer.
2) Use Proper Packaging
You'll want to make sure that your food is properly packed to prevent it from spoiling and to ensure optimum food quality. You can use the following to assist in maintaining food at the proper temperature.
Insulated Containers
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For products that need to be kept chilled or frozen, invest in a durable, insulated styrofoam container or box. If you are looking for a reliable insulated container at an affordable price, Nice Packs is the place to look. Made of premium quality materials and guaranteed to protect your food items, this will definitely be a worthwhile investment.
Alternative Insulation
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If you don't want to spend money on insulated containers, insulated pads are the way to go. Nice Packs offers insulated pads that will offer as much protection as an insulated container. Check them out today!
Absorbents
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If your food is at risk of defrosting, make sure you use an absorbent pad or mat on top of the liners. If required, double bag or wrap.
Padding
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Pad and pack your goods after they're in the packaging to reduce movement during transit. To provide at least 2 to 3 inches of protection, consider using bubble wrap or packing peanuts.
Seal Food
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Food should be wrapped in plastic wrap, shrink wrap, plastic bag, or foil to keep it fresh.
3) Label Your Package
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After packaging your food product, make sure that you label it. Affix a mailing label to the top of the box. Make a note of both your return address and the recipient's address so the post office or shipping company knows where to send the product. Write "Perishable" on the side of the box as an extra precaution, so that the staff that handles your product treats it with utmost care.
4) Use Dry Ice Packs
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Layer dry ice packs inside your insulated food container. Because ordinary ice is heavier than dry ice, it should never be used when shipping frozen food. Furthermore, when the ice melts, you run the risk of dampening the inside of the box. Dry ice and gel packs are two common methods for keeping food frozen or cool during transportation.
Dry ice is typically used for food that must remain frozen at all times. Gel packs are used to keep the temperature of items between 32 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The difference between dry ice and gel packs is that as they melt, gel packs become wet. Dry ice, on the other hand, remains dry.
Dry ice packs help food items stay cold and fresh for longer periods of time since it has the ability to remain solid for a long time. For all of your shipping needs, have a look at Nice Packs dry ice packs.
5) Choose the Right Food Shipping Company
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It's critical to choose the correct shipping partner to ensure that your product reaches its destination safely and on schedule. Finding a shipping company that offers overnight service is often the best approach to ensure your food items reach their final destination safely.
It is recommended that you ship your food items early in the week to avoid delivery delays over the weekend, and you should always request a tracking number with your delivery. This allows you to monitor the current location of your delivery in real-time to guarantee that it is progressing and will reach its destination safely and on time. Make sure you research food shipping companies in your area and consider your selections accordingly.
If you choose to send your product by the post office, choose the quickest sending option offered by your post office to ensure that your food product reaches its intended recipient as soon as possible. Keep in mind that this can be costly, but it's a must when sending perishable items, especially those that need to be refrigerated or frozen.
Types of Food Shipments
Different types of food shipments require different types of packaging and requirements to ensure that the food does not get spoilt.
Non-Perishable Food
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- It is not necessary to utilize ice packs during shipping for non-perishable food items such as nuts and hard candies.
- To keep the products in place, you can transport them in a cardboard box coated with bubble wrap or packing peanuts. You do not need to use insulated containers.
- Extreme temperatures should be avoided because they may compromise the food's quality.
Perishable Fresh Food
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- Ensure that the item is dry and secured in a plastic bag.
- It needs to be shipped in an insulated container with dry ice packs.
Perishable Frozen Food
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- Check to see if the item is sealed in a plastic bag or plastic wrap.
- It needs to be shipped in an insulated container.
- In the insulated container, dry ice should be used instead of cold packs.
What Type of Food Is the Most Time-Sensitive?
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Fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat products, are the most time-sensitive foods shipped across the country regularly. These foods have a limited shelf life, are readily damaged during transportation, and must be carried at specified temperatures.
Cheese products, for example, should be maintained between 32 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas fresh meat should be kept between 28 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Frozen food shipping necessitates the usage of cold chain services. A frozen freight truck is required to transport frozen foods. Before loading, the truck's internal temperature must be dropped to 20 degrees, and it must remain below 10 degrees on the road at all times. This ensures that no food product's interior temperature rises above 10 degrees which can lead to spoilage. When picking a shipping firm, keep these points in mind.
What Is the Cost of Shipping Food?
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Delivering food packages will cost between $30 and $150. The total cost of shipping fresh or frozen food products is determined by the amount you're sending, the destination, package weight, and the shipping provider you choose.
You'll pay more in general but less per item or cargo if you ship food products in bulk containers. This is because bulk shipping is frequently inexpensive, making it easier to send multiple purchases at once.
Summary
If you don't know what you're doing, sending food by mail can be tricky. Make sure that any food that needs to be transported is refrigerated. When accompanied by an insulated container and dry ice packs, refrigerated food will survive longer. To ensure optimum food quality, pack food securely in the above-mentioned techniques. Look for food shipping services in your area and do some research. The best food shipping company will use refrigerated transportation and trackers.
That concludes the ultimate guide on transporting food by mail. Nice Packs has you covered if you're looking for dry ice packs. You won't have to worry about the leaking watery mess that gel packs and regular ice packs cause with Nice Packs dry ice packs. Shop with us today to get the best dry ice packs in the market!
