Maintaining proper temperature control is paramount in the perishable product industry to preserve the integrity of goods during transportation, storage, and distribution. Deviations from recommended temperature levels can lead to disastrous outcomes, potentially causing harm to consumers.
To help you ensure the safety and quality of your product, we have put together this comprehensive guide that highlights the importance of maintaining proper temperature control in the perishable product industry. We will also provide you with practical tips that you can implement to ensure that optimal temperatures are maintained throughout the product's lifecycle. Let's dive right in.
What Is a Perishable Product?
Credit: Envato Elements/ Nadianb
Before delving into the topic of this blog, let's first establish a clear understanding of what we mean by perishable products.
Perishable products refer to goods that have a limited lifespan and require specific climate conditions to preserve their quality and safety. They are also known as perishable temperature-controlled products, as they must be kept within particular temperature ranges. Examples of such goods include fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. It is worth noting that this category may also include perishable frozen or chilled goods such as frozen meats, vegetables, and meals.
What Happens When Perishable Products Are Not Stored at the Right Temperature?
Credit: Envato Elements/ mpalis
When perishable products are not stored at the appropriate temperature, it can lead to a range of negative consequences. For instance, when goods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy are stored outside the recommended temperature range, they become vulnerable to the growth of harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and mold. The proliferation of these microorganisms can lead to spoilage, decay, and contamination, making the product unsafe for consumption.
Additionally, chemical reactions can also occur when perishable items are not stored at the right temperature. For example, fats and oils can become rancid through oxidation, leading to an unpleasant taste and smell. These reactions can cause the goods to lose their texture, color, and nutritional value, making them less appetizing and less nutritious. Moreover, when certain medicines and vaccines are stored at incorrect temperature ranges, they can lose their efficacy, rendering them useless or even harmful.
Therefore, proper storage of perishable goods at the recommended temperature is critical throughout the supply chain to ensure their quality and safety. Failure to do so can lead to food waste, health risks, and financial losses for individuals and businesses alike.
How to Maintain Temperature Control for Perishable Products
There is no questioning that temperature control is crucial when dealing with perishable goods. To ensure the safety of your product during shipping and storage, here are some crucial steps to follow:
1) Ensure That the Perishable Good Is Packaged Properly
Credit: Envato Elements/ leungchopan
Poor packaging practices can expose goods that are perishable to external factors such as moisture, dust, or microbes which can cause damage, spoilage, or contamination. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention to the type of packaging you choose and how you pack your product. However, the type of packaging will depend on the type of product that you are dealing with.
When dealing with perishable goods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, it is crucial to choose packaging materials that allow for adequate ventilation. Options such as crates, baskets, and hampers with perforations or mesh-like designs can provide the necessary airflow to keep the goods fresh and healthy.
For meat and dairy items, it is important to use packaging materials that prevent the buildup of excess moisture. Vacuum sealing is a great option, as it removes the air that can lead to moisture and bacterial growth, resulting in longer shelf life and quality of the product.
When it comes to frozen food items, it is vital to use packaging materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and prevent temperature fluctuations. Flexible packaging pouches with insulating materials, such as aluminum foil or bubble wrap, can help maintain a consistent temperature and prevent freezer burn.
Lastly, when dealing with vaccines or medicinal products, it is essential to use light-resistant packaging materials such as colored plastic to protect them from light exposure. This type of packaging material can prevent the degradation of the product, ensuring its potency and efficacy.
2) Place the Packaged Product in an Insulated Container
After completing the packaging process of your perishable goods, the next step is to store them in an appropriate shipping container to preserve their freshness and quality during shipping. In this case, it is recommended to use a container or box with insulation material.
Insulated containers are specially designed to protect goods from external factors that can compromise their integrity. These containers are typically made of aluminum, which has the ability to reflect light and heat. By reflecting heat, the insulated container prevents the outside temperature from affecting the internal temperature. This feature is especially crucial for perishable products that require refrigeration, as exposure to high temperatures can cause the product to spoil or deteriorate, leading to significant losses for businesses.
In addition to being effective at maintaining a consistent internal temperature, aluminum containers are durable and can withstand the rigors of shipping. This provides an added layer of protection to the packaged product. Moreover, these containers are also lightweight, making them easier to handle and transport, reducing the overall shipping costs.
3) Use Coolants to Maintain the Product at Recommended Temperatures
Credit: Nice Packs
Shipping goods that are perishable can be a complex process since various issues can occur during transit that could affect the quality of your shipment. To prevent these mishaps from impacting your product, it is essential to use coolants.
Coolants come in different forms, but two of the most common options are gel packs and dry ice packs. Gel packs contain a refrigerant gel that helps keep the items cooler for longer periods. However, they have a limited shelf life, and their effectiveness might be reduced over long distances or extended shipping times, especially for perishable goods like meat.
On the other hand, dry ice packs are a more reliable option for shipping goods over long distances. These packs are made of a unique technology that is capable of staying cold in harsh conditions. This helps maintain the desired temperature of the product for a more extended period. Additionally, these ice packs do not leave any liquid behind that could damage the product's packaging, making them a better choice for many shipping scenarios.
4) Choose a Cargo Partner That Has Experience With Temperature Controlled Products
After ensuring that your product is properly prepped with the right coolant and packaging for shipping, the next crucial step is selecting the right logistics or cargo partner. The logistics partner you choose will play a vital role in ensuring that your shipping experience is successful. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a partner:
- The first factor to consider when choosing a logistics partner is ensuring that they have extensive experience in handling temperature-controlled products, particularly perishable items. They should have the expertise and resources to monitor and maintain the correct temperature throughout the entire journey.
- Secondly, it is important to ensure that the logistics partner has the necessary infrastructure to handle different goods with specific temperature requirements. This means that they should have separate cold storage facilities for goods that require different temperature ranges. For instance, some goods may require freezing temperatures while others need to be stored at a specific temperature above freezing. The logistics partner should have the necessary equipment and expertise to manage these requirements.
- Another critical aspect to consider is if the logistics partner has a backup power system. Power outages and other unforeseen events can occur during transit, and having a backup system can help prevent any disruptions to the temperature control systems.
5) Choose the Right Mode of Transportation
Credit: Envato Elements/ omosman950
After selecting the right logistics partner, the next critical step is to choose the appropriate method of transport for your temperature-controlled products. While many logistics partners may have a default mode of transport, if given an option, it is highly recommended to choose air transport, air freight, or air cargo for shipping perishable shipments.
Air transport is an excellent option for shipping temperature-sensitive products due to its reliability. Unlike road or sea transportation, air cargo can ensure that your goods are transported efficiently. Moreover, this mode of transport provides a high level of security since airlines have strict regulations and procedures for handling and shipping temperature-sensitive products, ensuring that your goods are handled with the utmost care and attention.
6) Opt for Express Services
When it comes to shipping temperature-sensitive cargo by air, choosing the right service is crucial to ensure that your goods arrive at their destination on time. That's why opting for an express freight service is essential.
Express freight services specialize in the fast transportation of time-sensitive and temperature-controlled goods. These services are designed to provide a quick turnaround time by minimizing transit time and streamlining the customs clearance process. Additionally, they often use state-of-the-art tracking and monitoring systems, providing you with real-time updates on your shipment's status throughout its journey. By opting for express freight, you can ensure the prompt delivery of your goods while maintaining their freshness and quality.
Summary
Proper temperature control is absolutely vital when it comes to shipping and storing perishable products. It's essential to take all necessary steps to ensure that your goods maintain the correct temperature throughout their journey. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using Nice Packs' dry ice packs.
Nice Packs dry ice packs are incredibly simple to use and can be customized to meet your specific requirements. With various sizes available, you can tailor the packs to fit your packaging perfectly, making them a versatile and flexible solution for a wide range of temperature-sensitive shipments. With Nice Packs, you can have confidence that your goods will arrive at their destination in top condition. Shop with us today.
