Suppliers, carriers and retailers all play a role in ensuring proper temperatures are maintained when perishable products are distributed. When working in concert, they make sure the cold chain is preserved and only the freshest and safest products reach consumers. Following is a list of best practices for these stakeholders to ensure optimal cold chain management.
First, before product is transported, it should be pre-cooled by the supplier to the correct transit temperatures. It is important to get the thermal mass of the perishable product to the correct temperature before shipping, as this can have a direct impact on product quality, safety and shelf life. If product is not pre-cooled, it can continue to aspirate in the enclosed truck trailer or other container. In some cases, the product will actually generate heat, called respiration, which results in product degradation. Product should be pulped to ensure that proper temperatures have been reached before loading begins. Successful temperature control starts at the beginning with the supplier.