Top Tips When Planning Refrigerated Transport

Transporting perishable products can be a challenging task. As such, most business people and farmers use refrigerated transport services to prevent their products from going bad. The points below discusses a few safety precautions you should take during refrigerated transport.  

Product Preparation 

Proper product preparation will prevent spoilage during transport. Wash farm produce to get rid of contaminants and pests. Sort the products to remove any spoilt fruits and vegetables. Meats should be slaughtered in hygienic conditions. Besides, they should be inspected by a professional for signs of parasites such as tapeworms and liver flukes. 

Packaging is an essential aspect of the preparation process. Pack farm produce in a manner that ensures maximum aeration. Do not mix the products during packaging. For instance, do not mix beef and chicken.

Condition of the Refrigerated Truck 

Below are some tips to help you choose a proper refrigerated truck; 

• The truck must be in excellent mechanical condition. Check the service and maintenance records of the refrigeration unit. Most companies will provide a competent driver to transport the cargo.
• When ferrying different products, choose a reefer that has compartments that can operate at different temperatures.
• Some trucks integrate modern technology. For instance, the temperatures can be set remotely from the company's headquarters. Others have a backup power system that keeps the refrigeration unit running even when the truck is off.
• The reefer should be in excellent condition. Cracks will let in dust and contaminants that might damage the products.
• Disinfect the reefer using pressurised hot water. Reefers used to transport drugs and chemicals should not be used to carry edible products.  

Documentation

Proper documentation is the heart of refrigerated transport. The client and transport crew must record the condition of the products and the temperatures of the refrigerated truck during pickup. The driver should also indicate the condition of the products once they arrive at the warehouse. For instance, some of the products may get damaged if the crates were overloaded. These records will help you assign blame if the products get damaged during the cold chain. 

Check the insurance cover on the refrigerated truck. You may need to take additional insurance if the motor vehicle policy does not cover product damages during transport. The products should reach the market in the shortest time possible. As such, you may want to avoid routes with traffic jams or those with sharp inclines. 

Refrigerated transport is a good service for people who want to transport perishable products. Proper product preparation and documentation can help prevent spoilage. Observe the recommended tips when choosing a reefer. 

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