If your company is preparing to make a shipment containing perishable items, putting the quality of your product into the hands of a food grade transportation company and trusting them to deliver on time is a major decision. When your assets are on the line, it is essential that the company you choose can ensure safe conditions for the transport of food related items. Thanks to the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005, regulations were drafted into the Food Safety Modernization Act by the FDA. These serve as important guidelines to ensure product safety during food grade transportation, but in a world that’s often evolving, these guidelines have become minimum standards. In order to safeguard your perishable stock, there are certain ways you can prepare for effective food transportation.
Understand your product and your options. Defining your need can help you make an educated decision on whom to trust with your shipping. The method of shipment will vary depending on the product itself. Trailer or rail car shipping is available for dry or liquid bulk items, but certain categories of food may require additional measures to ensure product safety. Liquid egg, juice, and dairy fall into a category that should be evaluated differently than dry products, such as flour, sugar, salt, etc. Know your need so you can best identify the risks prior to inspection.
Pay attention to details. Per the SFTA, a shipper must inspect the carrier, as well as provide them with specific details on how to best keep the product from spoiling during transportation. Whether it’s your first or 100th shipment, paying close attention to and treating every shipment as if it were the first help keep potential issues at bay.
Communicate and educate. Being knowledgeable about the training your carrier provides to its employees is your right. Talk openly with those you are working with, and request records if necessary. Complementary to that, educate your carrier on your product so that they are able to understand the exact need per shipment, and tailor their performance to the highest standard.
If you have any questions regarding your company’s transportation effectiveness or would like to request a quote, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to help assist you with you with all of your distribution needs.
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