Expert Guidance on Food Shipping: What to Look for in a Reliable Food Shipping Company
Understanding food shipping and cold chain essentials
AIT has every ability to manage your food logistics — from one-time expedited shipments to ongoing supply chain services. Operating as a global network, we earn customers’ trust by providing creative solutions and global compliance guidance. We pride ourselves on efficient deliveries and maintaining brand protection, leveraging our expertise in food safety and cold chain services.
As food markets respond to globalization and increasing consumer demand for fresh, healthy food, the importance of effective cold chain transportation is growing. Despite food logistics challenges, consumers expect products to be in good condition and stored at the proper temperatures. To meet these expectations, logistics companies are implementing technology and processes to respond to higher scrutiny on food safety and temperature maintenance.
The nature of food logistics means it is important to have an effective transportation plan and move quickly. From food spoilage to in-store product shortages, poor cold chain management can be disastrous. Ineffective temperature maintenance for even one shipment could damage your brand reputation and hurt sales.
Working with a reliable logistics provider minimizes these issues, offering insights on active and passive packing solutions, coolant requirements, packaging necessities and comprehensive cold chain shipping plans. The right partner can open the door to more efficient transportation and storage, reducing the possibility of damaged products or diminished shelf life.
Essential components of cold chain services
Overseeing a successful perishable shipment from point A to point B requires several interlocking parts. Food must be taken care of and monitored throughout transportation. Integral parts of this process include:
The right cold chain partner
Effective cold chain solutions start with the provider you choose. Look for a food logistics company that touts proactive communication, packaging expertise, a global storage network, an experienced team and thorough shipment tracking. Your partner should also be versed in all local, state and federal regulations associated with transportation of foodstuffs. The right logistics provider has a trained staff that accommodates your needs while ensuring products are transported safely and in compliance with all relevant regulations. Select a partner that works to determine solutions to your existing challenges, as well as identify cost savings opportunities for you and your customers.
Product pickup
From the first step of the pickup to delivery, temperature control matters. Whether in a warehouse or in transit, proper cold chain shipping means your products’ quality will be maintained from beginning to end, arriving at the destination in great condition.
Effective transportation
As technology advances and awareness of food safety increases, packing techniques have changed. Logistics providers work with you to identify and solve food safety issues, using services like reefer trucks, temperature-controlled packing methods and final mile delivery to maintain the cold chain throughout transit.
Cold chain maintenance
Temperature-controlled maintenance is crucial for maintaining food quality throughout shipment. Effective cold chain logistics services transport your freight using the temperature, equipment and packing methods that best maintain product integrity. These providers comply with FDA regulations like the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) through strict food safety processes. Proper transportation conditions reduce the amount of food – and money – wasted.