Transporting perishable foods and fresh produce is fraught with higher risks than many other kinds of transportation. This is because perishable foods have a higher risk of spoiling if they are exposed to risk factors such as temperature fluctuations, dust and debris, and insect or other bacterial contamination.
And yet perishable food transportation is a vital service. If we look at the U.S. as an
example, studies estimate that processed food in the United States
travels over 1,300 miles, and fresh produce travels over 1,500 miles, before it is consumed. Without perishable food transportation, our food supply chain would be severely impacted.
What’s more, almost 60% of food in the UK is imported by boat, whilst just 0.16% is imported by air. And almost all of this food is then transported via truck or lorry.
So how can we ensure that all this food reaches its final destination safely? How can we minimise food wastage and maximise both supply and, as a result, profit? We can use pallet blankets as an integral part of the perishable food transportation process.
This is why pallet blankets are so important for perishable foods:
The Risks Involved in Perishable Food Transport
Transporting perishable food items is considered to be notoriously risky. Some of the main risks that you should consider within this process include:
| Temperature Control. | Different perishable items will have different optimal temperatures for transportation. If temperatures aren’t maintained correctly, there’s a high risk that freshness and quality won’t be preserved, and the items could even be discarded as waste when they reach their final destination. Temperature control is one of the biggest factors to consider when transporting perishable items as bacteria can damage food items when the temperatures fluctuate. This can lead to foodborne illnesses if the products are still ingested by the customer. |
| Odour contamination. | We all love the smell of strawberries. But how would you feel if your carrots smelt like strawberries? Some perishable items have a very strong smell that is easily transferred to other items, so it is important to avoid odour contamination when transporting more than one type of perishable product at the same time. When odour contamination does occur, this can result in the wastage of one of both products involved. |
| Cross-contamination. | You can’t always avoid transporting more than one type of perishable item at the same time. But you do need to be aware of the risks of cross-contamination. Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria or other microorganisms from one food product are transferred to another. This could be due to direct or indirect contact. Obviously, the result of this type of contamination is wastage. An awareness of the importance of choosing the right packaging materials and trying to keep different commodities separate where possible is fundamental to maintaining food quality in this instance. |
| Warehouse cleanliness. | Not all risks occur whilst the perishable items are in transit. Many perishable items will also have to spend time in a warehouse as part of the transportation process. If warehouse cleanliness is not maintained, it places perishables at risk of chemical or bacterial contamination. Insects, rodents, dust, and bacteria are all prevalent in unclean warehouse environments, and all pose a risk to perishable items. The best way to avoid contamination in these circumstances is to ensure that the warehouse environment is as clean as possible. |
The Benefits of Using Insulated Pallet Blankets
One of the best ways to mitigate the risks posed when transporting perishable foods is to use insulated pallet blankets as an integral part of the transportation process.
The most obvious benefit of using multifoil insulation pallet blankets for pallets
containing perishable items is that the high-performing materials reflect the
excess heat away while reflecting the cold back, keeping your goods cooler for longer. This can help to minimise temperature fluctuations and maintain temperature control. Here at TLX Cargo we offer a wide range of temperature-controlled pallet blankets suitable for perishable items, including TLX 4, TLX 2, TLX PCM and TLX Fibre-flex.
Another benefit of using thermal pallet blankets to transport perishable goods is that thermal pallet covers help give the pallets an extra layer of protection, keeping your goods from getting damaged. Because the perishable items inside will be totally covered, any odours can be better contained inside. And any risk of product
cross-contamination will also be dramatically reduced.
Top Transportation Tips
When thermal pallet blankets are used to completely cover the pallet this prevents condensation from forming around the load, ensuring your perishables are less susceptible to mould and mildew. For this reason, it’s important to choose a thermal pallet cover that is the right size for your load. Do not use covers that are too large as they will not be effective in keeping your perishable goods cool. However, the cover should be big enough to cover the pallet and load. This is a case where size really matters!
When transporting perishable items, communication is important. As well as
being correctly packaged, each pallet should be labelled using proper labelling
techniques. This will ensure that everyone involved in the transportation process can identify and handle perishable items correctly.
Finally, you should also consider ensuring that your perishable goods are insured before the transportation process begins. From start to finish, the process of transporting perishable and fresh produce can be expensive. Whilst taking all of these steps can help to minimise the risk of damage or spoilage during the transport process, the risk is still much higher than with other kinds of transportation. You should have the right insurance coverage before putting the cargo in transit, ensuring financial security in case anything goes wrong on the way.
But minimise this risk by using insulated pallet blankets. There is no better way to
ensure that your perishable foods travel from A to B in the best possible condition.
At TLX Cargo we have the skills and expertise to ensure you are choosing the right pallet blankets for your business. Why not get in touch? We would love to hear from you. Our helpful team are on hand to help, simply call 01204 695666 or contact us here.
