The cold chain involves warehousing and transporting perishable food products in a controlled temperature environment, which maintains the shelf life of the product.. Unless control measures are adhered to during warehousing and transportation, contamination may occur, therefore deeming the product unsuitable for public consumption. Careful planning must be given when warehousing and transporting goods as any delays may have detrimental consequences.
There are many “Risks”, which should be noted when warehousing and transporting perishable Food Product.
- Is the warehouse/transport unit suitable for the transportation and storage of perishable food product?
- Is the warehouse temperature controlled and monitored?
- Are HACCP principles adhered to at all times?
- Is the transport unit mechanically sound, omitting the risk of breakdown?
- Is the transport unit hygienically clean, without residue from previous consignments?
- Will the produce be loaded and unloaded suitably as to not allow product to become contaminated? e.g. by bacterial growth due to delays in moving perishable foods to correct temperature controlled storage areas or leaving a container open at the loading bay for a longer period of time than stipulated, allowing perishable foods to become tainted by physical/chemical contaminants.
Weather also plays a major part in the safe transportation of perishable food products, if a consignment is exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures along the transportation route, due to temperature excursions the goods may become damaged and destroyed, resulting in major financial losses and/or a risk to consumer safety from the potential serious effects of food poisoning.