How to Safely Transport Perishable Foods

How to Safely Transport Perishable Foods

February 19, 2021

Food is a lot more complicated than your typical package. You have to choose the right packing materials, insulate the box and make sure the refrigeration holds up during transit. Here’s everything you need to know about food shipping before you transport that first batch of produce outside North Charleston, SC.

Airtight containers

Before food leaves the transportation hub, make sure perishable items are packed in airtight containers. Shrink wrap individual pastries to seal in freshness or gently arrange a flexible plastic barrier around more delicate desserts. For extra protection, place fragile food items inside a tin canister and seal the lid with tape.

Now it’s time to prepare the outer shipping box. Line the inside with a plastic tarp so potential leaks don’t turn your shipment into a soggy cardboard mess. Frozen foods like ice cream will also need an absorbent mat along the bottom in case the cooling system wears out during transit. Food shipping requires you to plan for all the worst-case scenarios given the off chance your shipment gets delayed.

Cooling systems

Perishable foods need some type of refrigeration to help them survive the trip. Preserve freshness by situating the food between gel packs. Keep in mind this cooling system is best for produce and flowers because they’re not intended for regulating the temperature of frozen products. Gel packs merely slow down the ripening process as fruit and vegetables travel to vendors in North Charleston, SC.

If your food shipment includes frozen items, the best refrigeration method is dry ice. As the name suggests, it won’t melt like frozen water and leak all over your merchandise. Dry ice doesn’t last as long as gel packs, but will keep food a lot colder. No matter which cooling system you choose, make sure it’s well insulated. Line the box with sturdy foam planks to seal in the cool temperatures and keep heat out.

Sturdy packaging

The trouble with food shipping is that your merchandise is constantly at risk of bruising, squashing and melting. To help perishables arrive in pristine condition, allow a radius of at least two inches around each food item. But also remember that wiggle room is the culprit behind every flattened pastry and bruised peach. Pack the empty space with bubble wrap, foam peanuts or whatever else you’ve got on hand to prevent delicate produce from bumping against each other.

One thing you can’t avoid is boxes getting knocked around in transit. However, what you can do is reduce the likelihood of a crumpled box with the right packing materials. Put candy sticks in delicate pastries at regular intervals to reinforce the lid in case something heavy falls on top. Make sure you also choose the right shipping container, such as wooden crates for citrus fruits and sturdy foam boxes for frozen products.

Transporting food is a delicate process. One simple oversight like forgetting to line a box with plastic wrap can be enough to spoil your whole shipment. Take the guesswork out of a potentially sticky situation by checking out the refrigerated shipping options at All Points Transport. We utilize state-of-the-art cooling systems for maximum protection, ensuring your products arrive safely at their destination in North Charleston, SC.

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