TOP TIPS TO ENSURE FOOD SAFETY THIS HOLIDAY

The 4^th of July holiday is just around the corner and that means stores across the country are receiving an influx of supplies ready for consumers before the long holiday weekend.

Between produce season and increased holiday food demand from grocery stores in lieu of restaurant closures, more refrigerated shipments are out on the road than normal. That means shippers and drivers need to ensure the safety of food products before, during and after transit. Below are important tips to help shippers guarantee their products reach consumers in an ideal state.

• Time-sensitive – Be aware of the commodity’s shelf life. Refrigerated shipments need to be delivered as soon as possible due to the nature of food cargo. This is especially true in areas of the country with weather of over 100 degrees in summertime. The right temperature needs to be maintained and checked regularly during transit to ensure proper food protocols by the FDA. Experienced 3PLs have the capabilities to provide regular temperature updates to shippers during transit. A 3PL with a tech-advanced TMS can help in such time crunches. The TMS provides an optimized route with a specific carrier match that is fully equipped to handle refrigerated shipments in the most efficient way. This reduces any room for error during transit.
• Freight Visibility – Since refrigerated freight is time-sensitive, shippers need to have real-time freight visibility from start to finish. Shippers can ensure cargo is kept at the right temperature throughout transit with direct temperature data updates. Advanced 3PLs have the technology to provide such information at specific time intervals. Holiday freight can also be a potential liability for shippers and constant freight visibility provides peace of mind while on the road.
• Reliable, Experienced Carriers – Due to the sensitivity of refrigerated freight, shippers need to ensure carriers have the right experience and equipment to deliver such goods. The most cost-effective way to achieve this is to partner with a 3PL that already has long-lasting relationships with thousands of reliable and experienced carriers ready to help. 3PLs conduct the vigorous carrier vetting process for you and ensure that each carrier has the right equipment and knowledge to haul refrigerated freight. These carrier networks allow 3PLs to provide shippers with competitive refrigerated rates before a busy holiday. Such partnerships ensure a hassle-free holiday shipping process from pick-up to delivery.

Holiday refrigerated shipping doesn’t have to be stressful. Check out our blog post to learn more about refrigerated shipping during the Summer season. Contact us today for a customized refrigerated shipping plan or request a quote online.