Refrigerated Transportation: 4 Tips for Preventing Fresh Produce Spoilage

Hauling fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables, can be a challenging process. These items are prone to spoilage if they are exposed to unfavourable conditions. And the goods are particularly vulnerable to high temperature.

Therefore, if you are planning for transportation over considerable distances, you will need to invest in refrigerated delivery. This will keep the produce fresh and prevent the rejection of the loads. Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when planning for refrigerated transportation.

1. Plan for Precooling

One of the common mistakes made in refrigerated haulage is failure to precool. In simple terms, if you place hot goods in your truck, you will raise the interior temperature for a period. Consequently, the produce will not be at optimal cooled rates during the entire journey. As a result, there could be significant damage to the cargo.

You can avoid this issue by placing the goods after harvesting into a cooled place or a fridge before loading. It is also essential to remember to also precool the truck to the optimal temperature for transporting the specific goods.

2. Inspect the Equipment

You should check on the condition of the refrigeration equipment before using the truck for transportation. This is imperative because the failure of the cooling system could cause the loss of the entire shipment. You should watch out for signs of malfunction such as warm spots and internal water leakage. Cold spots are also not favourable. If there is ice build-up, you should plan on conducting repairs. Produce will sustain damage if placed in very cold environments.

3. Clean the Truck

Proper clean-up of the refrigerated truck will prevent spoilage due to contamination. This practice is of particular importance if the truck is used for transporting other products. For instance, it is important to wash the truck if you intend to transport fruits after using it for moving milk or meat. The potential problems that you could encounter due to poor housekeeping include bacterial and fungal damage. Also, odours can impact the quality of the produce, leading to losses on the market.

4. Promote Proper Loading

Finally, good loading practices must be upheld to prevent spoilage during transportation. The most important issue to address when placing the produce in the truck is air circulation. Poor movement of air around the loads will cause accumulation of heat in certain areas. Therefore, you should plan for adequate spacing of unit loads in the interior space to ensure uniformity in temperature. If you are uncertain about the best practices, consult a refrigerated delivery specialist. 

To learn more about refrigerated delivery services, contact an automotive company today.


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