Perishable foods: what are they and how can they be transported?

When we say "perishable goods", we refer to those products that spoil very quickly, that are easily altered, and the transport must be carried out quickly so that the goods reach the customer and then the consumers in a fresh state. We can classify perishable products as follows: - frozen products: frozen meat, frozen fish, frozen vegetables, frozen fruits, etc.; - refrigerated products: milk, yogurt, cheese, refrigerated meat, refrigerated fish, refrigerated vegetables, refrigerated fruits, etc.; - meat products: fresh meat, sausages, processed meat products, etc.; - dairy products: milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.; - food products: bread, pastries, eggs, honey, etc.; - plant products: fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, etc.; - processed products: canned goods, juices, oils, etc.; - animal products: meat, eggs, milk, etc. Due to their perishable nature, these products require rapid refrigerated transport.

Perishable products require special treatment, therefore they must be transported in vehicles specially equipped with high-quality thermal insulation and air conditioning systems, which allow maintaining the optimal temperature for the transported products. These vehicles are equipped with modern goods handling equipment, ensuring safe and efficient transport. Each type of perishable product requires a certain temperature to be kept in good condition: - frozen meat must be transported at temperatures of at least -25 degrees C; - general products, such as flowers or chocolate, can be transported at temperatures up to +25 degrees C; - for refrigerated foods, such as milk or meat, a temperature of 0-6°C will be ensured.

To be effective, packaging must be durable and able to withstand temperature variations during transport. In addition, the right packaging can help make transport more efficient, allowing for longer distances without affecting the quality of the product. Packaging methods for perishable foods vary depending on the type of product. For example, some foods may be packaged in boxes, others on pallets, in bags or in special containers. Some products may require modified atmosphere packaging to extend the shelf life of the product. The choice of packaging method depends on the nature of the product, the distance of transport and the storage conditions required. [1]

HACCP regulations provide specific conditions for the transport and storage of frozen food. The rules established by HACCP establish that for refrigerated food, the temperature must be between 0 and 5 °C, and for meat – between 3 and 7 °C. So, when taking over refrigerated goods, do not forget to check the temperature of the products, as well as the temperature in the trailer! Storage of products is another key aspect of refrigerated transport. Storage spaces must be delimited according to the shelf life of each product. The rules require that certain products, such as fresh vegetables, are not stored near dairy products. Hygiene is very important in the transport and storage of refrigerated goods. HACCP regulations emphasize the importance of sanitizing storage spaces and equipment used, but also the hygiene of the personnel involved in these processes. Poor hygiene can compromise the quality of the products. [2]

ATP is an international agreement that applies to the domestic and international transport of perishable food and the special equipment used for such transport. It covers any type of transport – road, rail, sea or a combination of these. If you are dealing with sea routes of less than 150 km, these are also covered by ATP, provided that the goods are transported in the same equipment used for the land part. When it comes to transport vehicles, you are obliged to use appropriate means to ensure that the appropriate temperature is maintained. The UNECE 2020 notification states that: “The equipment used must be designed and constructed in such a way that it is possible to comply with the established temperature conditions throughout the journey”. According to ATP, refrigerated, insulated and heated transport equipment is the one that applies to the international transport of perishable goods. There are, however, some specific conditions, such as the need for the loading and unloading points of the goods to be in two different countries and for the goods not to be transhipped for a sea crossing.

Not every vehicle is suitable for transporting perishable goods. Depending on what you are transporting, from fruit and vegetables to dairy products or meat, the types of vehicles can vary considerably.

Isothermal vehicles are characterized by the fact that their walls, doors, floor and roof are made of insulating materials. This limitation of heat exchange between the interior and exterior of the body is very important in the transport of perishable food, ensuring that a constant temperature is maintained. In the case of a normal isothermal vehicle, the K coefficient must be equal to or less than 0.7w/m2°C. If we are talking about an enhanced isothermal vehicle, this coefficient must be equal to or less than 0.4w/m2 °C. Another important detail is the thickness of the vehicle walls. For an enhanced isothermal vehicle, the walls must be at least 45 mm thick. [3]

Refrigerated vehicles, like isothermal vehicles, are designed to limit the exchange of heat between their interior and exterior. They use a source of cold, whether water ice, liquefied gases or others, to lower the temperature inside them and keep it constant, regardless of the outside temperature. These special vehicles are equipped with one or more compartments, containers or tanks for the refrigerant, which has the role of cooling the interior of the vehicle. Their capacity must comply with the ATP technical regulations and must be able to be loaded or reloaded from the outside.

These are a special type of isothermal means of transport, equipped with a cold-producing device, either individually or collectively for several means of transport. With the help of this device, the temperature inside the body can be reduced and maintained constant, regardless of the external conditions. Cold-producing devices are of several types, each with its advantages and particularities. Among the most popular are the mechanical group with compressor, the absorption machine and similar ones. They are designed to function optimally in conditions of an average external temperature of +30 °C, ensuring efficient and constant cooling.

These are isothermal means of transport equipped with a heat-generating device. This device allows the temperature inside the cargo compartment to be raised and maintained at a constant value of at least +12 °C for a period of at least 12 hours. This allows perishable goods to be transported in optimal conditions, without the risk of damage.

If you need to transport perishable food, Crystal Logistics Services is the perfect choice for you. Offering high-quality refrigerated transport services, our company ensures that your refrigerated or frozen goods are transported in the best conditions. With long-standing experience in the field, we are dedicated to providing superior quality services. We understand that each business has its unique needs, which is why we continuously adapt to meet the requirements and needs of our customers. We offer personalized and efficient solutions, tailored to the specifics of each business. Regardless of the complexity of your requirements, our team of professionals will ensure that the goods are transported safely and on time. Sources [1, 3] https://lege5.ro/gratuit/he2dcmrs/acordul-cu-privire-la-transporturile-internationale-de-produse-perisabile-si-cu-privire-la-mijloacele-de-transport-speciale-care-trebuie-folosite-pentru-aceste-transporturi-atp-din-01091970 [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/RO/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02004R0852-20090420&from=LT