World trade is dependent on the shipping industry. Almost 90 % of the world trade is carried through cargos and freights. There are different forms of cargo shipping. In fact, every kind of item can be found in the shipping industry. From a normal paper pin to heavy machinery like car and bike engine parts, everything is shipped through cargos and containers.
The food industry is no exception to this rule. Food items are also heavily transported from one place to another. Whether we are discussing raw foods such as fruits and vegetables or processed foods like jam, butter, meat, and jellies, every type of food has once been inside a transport container.
So if you are planning to take part in the supply chain and be a food-grade carrier then here are some of the useful tips:
● Adequate training
The truck plyers or the drivers of the food containers need to be trained properly for the delivery of bulk food transport. They need to be mindful of the driving practices while en route to their destination. As most of the bulk food items being transported are fragile drivers, they need to be considerate of the proposed and agreed-upon timeline.
They also need to maintain strict hygiene as these food items are subject to inspection by different food authorities. If the food item lacks in any of the departments, then it is deemed unfit for consumption, and the owner may have to face charges or pay heavy penalties. So the drivers must maintain the quality of hygiene in their food containers.
Also, the drivers of these containers must be trained to abide by all the rules and regulations that vary from state to state. The drivers may be required to produce a permit for different states, and the responsibility lies on the owner and the driver equally. So the driver must also keep that in check.
● Hygiene of the containers
As we discussed earlier, hygiene is one of the key components for the successful transport of food-grade containers and carriers. The containers must be washed regularly, and the driver should also keep a record of the food materials that have been carried in the container. Also, if the container has been used to deliver for other than food purposes, then it must be reflected on the record. This way, the safety of the food items can be ensured.
The food-grade carriers most usually face the problem of food contamination. This is caused due to the container carrying two different types of foods and failing to keep them separate. The food in the containers must not be placed in each other’s vicinity. Doing this increases the chances of oxidation and other unwanted chemical reactions in the food.
The most common example is raw foods. Raw foods must not be mixed with each other as a slight change in their storing conditions can cause them to rot. The best way to avoid such situations is to use a food-grade carrier for a single type of food product only.
● Temperature and maintenance
The maintenance of food hauler trucks relies largely on the owners of these carriers. The owners must get all their containers inspected timely and serviced regularly. They should not be negligent of even the smallest damage to their trailer as this tiny damage can cause the whole delivery to be decimated. So regular maintenance is required for these food containers. In addition to that, the transport company must also maintain the records of these maintenance logs, so in case of any mishap, they can produce proof of their compliance.
Another thing that the company owners must pay attention to is the temperature of these containers. The temperature of these containers must also be maintained regularly. Components like steam coils, compressors, coolants, and other temperature controlling equipment must be serviced regularly.
Most of the food items demand a sub-zero thermal temperature to extend their longevity. So the food carrier container must have adequate set up to provide the required temperature fo the food items. Also, during the course of delivery, the driver must regularly check the temperature of the food container.
● Verification
You must be able to trust your transport carrier when it comes to transporting food items, and as they say, Rome was not built in a day. Likewise, you can not trust someone instantaneously. For that, you would need some kind of verification and validation proof.
You can check the records of your transportation company in that light. Some companies that provide cheap transportation services do not have the expertise in the area and might end up causing a loss for you.
These steps are a few indicators that can help you in successful supply chain management and delivery of food-grade bulk transport.
So you must tread carefully when choosing a bulk food transport company.
