Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

How data loggers keep food safe

Anyone transporting food that’s meant to be consumed by others has a responsibility for safety.

By Stephen Knuth
TandD US Steve Knuth
April 10, 2018

Food safety is a top priority for all refrigerated transporters. While it’s critical for a shipment to make it from Point A to Point B, transportation itself is never enough. Anyone transporting food that’s meant to be consumed by others has a responsibility for safety. Not only can mistreatment of food during transport result in contamination, it can also damage a company’s reputation.

The most effective way to maintain quality control within transport is by utilizing real-time data monitoring with a connected high-precision data logger. Typically, a traditional data logger accompanies the food shipment at Point A, and the employee at Point B reads the logger to determine whether the food was kept in an acceptable temperature range. If the food is stored outside of the standard temperature range, the only course of action would be to throw out the entire shipment. While this may not be the worst thing in the world when shipping food products that are less expensive, disposing of an entire shipment of prime-cut steak or seafood can cost businesses upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Transport companies are liable for these temperature issues, especially if corrective action isn’t taken. Such temperature issues can even stem from drivers shutting off refrigeration while they sleep to save diesel fuel. With a traditional data logger, there’s no way for a consignor to know whether this occurred or not, until it’s too late to save the consignment. However, cellular-based technology allows consignors to do real-time monitoring without any interaction with the transport company. Because many shipments are made using third-party transporters, cellular-based data loggers are becoming increasingly popular for maintaining trust between the transporter and all other segments of the supply chain. These wireless loggers also allow a trusted driver to monitor conditions while en route, allowing him/her to take corrective action before temperatures reach critical ranges.

Transporters must also be fully aware of the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA). This factor makes quality data loggers even more important; transporters may have to verify at any given moment that food was handled properly while in their possession. FSMA also emphasizes the importance of data logging technology. The act requires food handlers to develop a plan that meets the guidelines for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), which should involve an advanced data logger. Issues with data entry, misreading and misinformation are the responsibility of the transporter, and failure to comply with these guidelines can result in seizure, injunction and recalls, all of which can damage the reputation of the entire supply chain.

With all things considered, investing in a data logger with cellular technology can save thousands of dollars and hours worth of hassle. Because these data loggers can be monitored by others in the supply chain in real-time, the transporter can become aware of issues regarding temperature before the only safe course of action becomes product disposal.

Loggers help save money in the form of legal fees, compensation and premiums, while also drastically reducing the risks of a public relations disaster. Some data logger companies also offer free cloud storage, allowing monitoring and analytics tracking in all locations, at any time of day.

Even though the costs of non-compliance in the food handling industry are tremendous, it’s important for transporters to understand that implementing a high-precision, connected data monitoring tool can put these issues to rest.

 

This article was originally posted on www.refrigeratedfrozenfood.com.
KEYWORDS: data logging sensor technology sensors temperature-controlled shipping temperature-sensitive cargo

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Stephen Knuth is president of TandD US, LLC, Santa Fe, N.M.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Testing & Analysis
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Management
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Risk Assessment
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

FoodSafetyMattersFinal-900x550-(002).jpg

Ep. 195. Dr. Christopher Daubert: The Value of a Food Science Education

Corporate manager talking with factory employees

Turning Resistance into Opportunity: Motiving Change in the Food Industry

Students returning their lunch trays in a cafeteria

California Bill Would Remove Ultra-Processed Foods from School Lunches

Events

June 26, 2025

How to Design and Conduct Challenge Studies for Safer Products and Longer Shelf Life

Live: June 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn how to conduct challenge studies for microbial spoilage and pathogen growth, including the common challenges encountered, laboratory selection, and use of predictive models.

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • Packaging trends keep snacks and baked goods fresh and safe through shelf life

    Packaging trends keep snacks and baked goods fresh and safe through shelf life

    See More
  • SpotSee temperature control

    Using temperature indicators to keep food out of ‘danger zone’

    See More
  • iQ Foods T&D TR-71wf data loggers

    Real-time data logging system helps iQ Foods maintain food safety

    See More
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing