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Learn the best practices to transport food, importance, issues, and how to comply with regulatory standards while maximizing technology.
Published 26 May 2023
Food transportation is the process of moving food to desired destinations from the food producer to its consumers. It is a crucial factor in maintaining food safety in food manufacturing businesses as it is not exempt from the risk of food contamination. It uses different modes of transportation including air, road, rail, and water. However, among these methods, trucking is the most common in the United States and it makes up around 70.5% of all food transportation.
Finished products and raw materials have different lifespans depending on the items to be delivered. Keeping food fresh, safe, and quality assured is crucial for the business. Being unable to keep the product safe can lead to business disruption, lawsuits, and customer complaints. That is why it is important to choose the right method of transporting food. It also helps food businesses to:
Food transportation should maintain food quality standards and keep a scheduled timeline to prevent food contamination specifically with easy-to-perish goods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and others. Business owners should be aware of the food transportation requirements that they need to apply for their businesses. The Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005 requires that FDA prescribe sanitary transportation practices to ensure food—including animal feeds—transported by rail or motor vehicle should not be transported under conditions that may adulterate the food. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule establishes the following requirements:
Different industries face various challenges, and the food industry is not exempt. In 2019, the United States encountered key challenges in moving around food such as driver shortages, environmental impacts, and sanitation standards compliance. These challenges made companies identify gaps and strive to improve their food transportation. That said, challenges are always present in the business, and here are other transportation issues that companies must be aware of:
Food handling, packing, and transporting are important factors of food safety. Being aware of the best practices and compliance with regulatory standards can help organizations ensure quality foods are being delivered to their customers. Here are the best practices when transporting food for these 3 key factors of food safety.
Product – the most important element of food delivery. It is valuable to preserve its quality and ensure it is delivered safely to the customers. Here are best practices when handling food that is being prepared for delivery.
Transportation – an integral part of the modern food system, yet it represents a relatively small contribution to the energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions of the U.S. food system. It is a fact that foods can easily be contaminated if the containers and vehicles are unclean. All transportation modes should be in good condition and have the capability to keep food at the right temperature. Here are best practices to secure food transportation:
People – All staff and food handlers should be properly trained to maintain food safety and food hygiene. Employees should be careful in loading and transporting goods to ensure it stays intact to maintain the quality of the products. It is the employees’ responsibility to:
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Through efficient means of transportation, food can travel thousands of miles to be delivered anywhere in the world. This process seems easy, but in reality, it involves a lot of risks that could affect the business if not properly implemented. With SafetyCulture, an inspection app that is accessible through web and mobile platforms, can help businesses ensure compliance with sanitary regulations and standardize their food safety and quality. It aids in performing inspections to deliver accurate and comprehensive results. SafetyCulture can help through the following benefits:
A food truck maintenance checklist is used to ensure that a food truck is fully operational and in good condition. It aids in mitigating potential risks for truck failures to prevent delays in food transportation.
Record food safety monitoring efforts through accurate temperature readings with long-range connectivity, secured communication, precise measurements, and wide temperature range through SafetyCulture sensors.
Jona Tarlengco
Jona Tarlengco is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. She usually writes about safety and quality topics, contributing to the creation of well-researched articles. Her 5-year experience in one of the world’s leading business news organisations helps enrich the quality of the information in her work.
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