Whether an ice cream delivery with a melted mess or a restaurant receiving spoiled food, shipping frozen and cold foods can have major consequences. Here’s how to avoid them.
Frozen and cold foods have specific temperature requirements and must be shipped quickly to arrive at their destination in good condition. This guide from Paper Mart explores carrier-specific considerations and general guidelines for shipping these time-sensitive items.
Temperature Control
Frozen food items require special care to ensure that they stay cold enough throughout transit. They can easily thaw and spoil if not shipped in insulated boxes with proper refrigeration. Additionally, frozen foods are prone to leaks and spills if not packed properly, particularly when ice packs or dry ice are used. To prevent these issues, wrap your products in watertight plastic, especially for goods prone to leaks or breakage. Keep a temperature log and ensure your products do not drop below freezing and keep a temperature log. This information will help you to avoid spoiled food before it reaches your customers.
Shipping refrigerated foods is a little easier because they can be transported in refrigerated trucks and cars (better known as “reefers”). However, choosing the right shipping method for your products is important. Some fruits and vegetables may wilt over time, even with refrigerated transportation, while others have a shorter shelf life and must be chilled as much as possible.
When deciding on the best shipping mode for your refrigerated foods, you should work with a broker specializing in cold freight. These companies have the equipment to handle shipments that must be chilled, and they know how to pack them correctly. They can also advise you on how to keep your products in the refrigerator during transit.
Labeling
The best way to ensure your frozen food product ship arrives in the right condition is to provide clearly labeled boxes and containers. This helps reduce exterior and interior damage, which increases the likelihood of spoilage during transit. In addition, you should use the appropriate packaging and cooling agent for each product type. For example, a cardboard box with an insulated liner is ideal for frozen food items. Dry ice is an effective cooling agent for frozen foods but requires special handling and compliance with shipping regulations. Ensure the package does not come in contact with bare skin or food and is properly labeled as containing dry ice.
Finally, it would help to label each package with its order priority—low, medium, or high. This helps delivery drivers prioritize time-sensitive orders and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth with frozen food deliveries. In addition, route optimization software lets you provide your delivery drivers with detailed information about each order. This helps them create the most efficient routes and saves you valuable time that can be spent on other business operations.
As a perishable goods supplier, following these tips is important to keep your cold chain running smoothly. Doing so can help prevent the loss of your products and ensure that customers receive the fresh food they expect.
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a key step in frozen food product shipments, preventing them from losing moisture during transit. Keeping foods refrigerated can also help to reduce freezer burn, which can cause the food to lose its texture and flavor.
When packing frozen products for shipping, choose insulated containers with secure lids that will help to keep cold air in and warm air out. Then, add a layer of protection to the container by wrapping it in paper or foil. This helps prevent food from becoming too hydrated and ensures the package remains safe and intact during transit.
Another way to keep frozen products fresh is by adding a cooling agent to the shipment. Ice packs or dry ice help to maintain low temperatures and can be purchased from grocery stores or online. Just be sure to label any packages that contain dry ice as hazardous materials and follow any additional requirements from your carrier.
Choose a shipping option that offers a guaranteed delivery time for your product. While this may cost more than a standard shipping method, it can help to ensure that your frozen food will be delivered to its new home in the best condition possible. In addition, choose a trucking company with refrigerated trailers and cars (also known as reefers) that can help maintain temperature control during transportation.
Packaging
Shipping frozen items can initially seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Proper packaging and temperature control are key to ensuring that frozen food products arrive in the same condition they left your warehouse. We’ll go over the suggested materials you’ll need, how to use dry ice for frozen goods shipping, and more so that your frozen foods will be safe and sound when they arrive at their destination.
Insulated food boxes can help preserve foods by keeping heat and moisture out and cold temperatures. When choosing insulated boxes, look for ones with thick walls and moisture-resistant materials like styrofoam and Green Cell Plus. Cardboard boxes with insulated liners are also a great option, as they will keep your product frozen longer.
Another key to ensuring the freshness of frozen food is marking packages with special instructions while shipping. Keeping a package as a high priority can reduce the time your food spends in transit and decrease spoilage chances. It’s the little things that can make a big difference.
Whether you sell ice cream, baked goods, seafood, or other frozen products, your food must arrive perfectly. By implementing the tips above and using a route planner to optimize routes and track packages, you can ensure that your frozen foods are delivered on time and in top condition.
