Delivery of perishable goods is one of the most complex in terms of technical support and logistics, responsible types of special transportation. Temperature- and humidity-sensitive goods – medicines, food, flowers, cosmetics require special storage conditions and strict adherence to regulatory and logistics standards. Deviation of microclimate parameters from established document requirements, including international ones, can lead to losses, loss of product quality and even risks to consumer health.
What goods are considered perishable
The conditions for the transportation of goods must ensure the preservation of consumer properties, including within the established time interval. Perishable goods are those that can quickly spoil and decompose at normal temperatures, becoming hazardous to health. If special transportation conditions are not observed, biochemical processes occur in them that can cause poisoning, allergies and diseases.
Therefore, goods that are considered perishable include those for which constant and strict adherence to temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions during transportation is necessary. The list of categories of perishable goods includes:
- food products;
- medicines;
- cosmetics;
- flowers;
- plants;
- biomaterials.
Such goods, transported in refrigerators, special packaging and containers, are divided into 3 groups, during transportation of which specified temperature ranges must be maintained. For example, for frozen goods – from -6° and below, for chilled goods – from -5 to -1°, for refrigerated goods – from 0 to +15°.
Temperature is a key factor for preserving perishable goods during transportation. Optimal temperatures may vary significantly for different types of goods even within the same category. Optimal temperature indicators, for example, for fruits are from +4 to +12°, fresh fish – 0-2°, eggs – +4-7°, vaccines and insulin – 2- 8°. Humidity is also a risk factor, since it affects the texture and taste during transportation. Its increase contributes to the development of bacteria, mold and the process of decay. Different goods require different humidity levels to maintain quality. For example, the required values for frozen products are 60-70%, vaccines – 40-60%, confectionery – 60-75%, eggs – 75-85%, vegetables – 90-95%.
During transportation, it is important to observe the terms of the cargo’s stay in transit. Even with optimal humidity and temperature values, an increase in the time spent in transit can lead to spoilage of goods and loss of their consumer properties. Therefore, it is important to comply with all regulatory parameters of transportation to ensure that all properties of the cargo are preserved.
Basic rules for the transportation of perishable goods
When transporting special goods, special markings are applied to the container in accordance with GOST 14192-96. The perishable goods sign is a rectangle within which three black symbols are placed – a fish, a double flower and a bunch of grapes. The special handling sign can have 4 size options provided by the standard.
The marking for perishable goods applied to the packaging indicates that forced maintenance of temperature and humidity conditions and ventilation is required to protect the products. The sign is applied to goods that are transported in accordance with the transportation rules established by regulatory acts. An important aspect of ensuring the safety and quality of goods during transportation is compliance with standard norms regarding maintaining a certain temperature for goods. Optimum temperature conditions, which differ for different types of goods, are established by regulatory documents and international agreements. Temperature conditions for the transportation of perishable goods include:
- International Convention for the Storage and Transport of Foodstuffs (FAO/WHO).
- Requirements of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
- Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF).
- EU Regulation on the transport of foodstuffs No. 852/2004.
- Requirements of the International Road Transport Association (IRU).
- Convention on International Road Transport (CMR).
- Law of Ukraine No. 771/97-VR “On the safety of food and feed”.
- DSP 3.3.2.007-98. State sanitary rules and norms.
- GOST 15846-2002. Transportation of food and agricultural products.
Transport transporting products with a short shelf life must be equipped with temperature maintenance and control systems. For example, for frozen products the temperature must be below -18°, for fresh meat and fish products – from 0 to 2-4°, vegetables – from 0 to 8°. Fruits and vegetables require different temperature and humidity conditions to maintain their freshness and minimize the risk of wilting and rotting from bacterial growth. According to WHO requirements for medicines, such as vaccines, insulin and some antibiotics, it is important to maintain an optimal temperature. The optimal temperature for antibiotics is +15-25°. It is important to remember that perishable goods are accepted for transportation upon presentation by the consignor of documents – certificates, certificates and certificates of conformity, temperature control certificates. They must confirm that the goods will not lose their qualities and consumer properties when moved within the specified time frame.
How to transport perishable goods by different modes of transport
The rules for transporting perishable goods by road require the use of certified refrigeration units that ensure a stable temperature regime throughout the entire journey. Refrigerators must be equipped with thermographs, temperature sensors, thermostats, as well as local and remote temperature monitoring systems. The equipment must ensure registration and control of the condition, prompt adjustment of the storage conditions of the cargo.
The shortest route with minimal congestion reduces the travel time, which cannot exceed the shelf life of the product. It must have equipped parking lots for refrigerated trucks in order to perform maintenance of the equipment if necessary. In the hot season, it is preferable to carry out the journey at night to avoid exposure to the sun.
The rules for transporting perishable goods by rail prescribe the use of refrigerated cars, thermal containers with cooling or freezing of the contents. The peculiarity is that their freezing system, continuously operating from a diesel or electric power source, must maintain the proper temperature regime for a very long time. Thermal containers placed on platforms or in container cars are equipped with ice generators to maintain the required temperature. Thermographs and temperature monitoring sensors operating in real time must be used to monitor the temperature in refrigerated cars and containers. A mandatory condition for transportation is continuous automatic documentation of temperature throughout the entire route. This is important to confirm that the goods are delivered in proper condition and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Railroad transportation routes should also not exceed the shelf life of goods, even taking into account delays for border and customs checks. At intermediate stations during long stops, additional control of maintaining the desired temperature is important. There should be an additional autonomous cooling system that will continue to operate if the train is standing for a long time.
Refrigerated cars must undergo maintenance procedures that guarantee their serviceability during operation. During the technical service, the operability of the cooling system, the absence of refrigerant leakage, thermal insulation for damage and wear are tested. Temperature sensors are necessarily calibrated to ensure the accuracy of monitoring and documentation.
Transportation of perishable goods by air transport is express delivery. It is carried out in the shortest time compared to road and rail transport. Therefore, in addition to refrigerated containers, which are the main ones for transportation, cryogenic containers are used in air transport. They are used to transport goods, for example, biological materials, at very low temperatures. Another popular option is isothermal containers, which have a “thermos” type design. They contain products already cooled to the required temperature. Such containers, due to the quality of thermal insulation, maintain the required temperature range for goods that do not require freezing, but need to be cold.
During transportation, goods should not adversely affect each other. Thus, it is unacceptable to transport salted, smoked, frozen and chilled fish, dry fish concentrates together with other products. And also smoked-dried or dry fish, smoked sausages and smoked meats, chilled meat, all types of cheese, margarine, baker’s yeast, vegetables with a strong odor. Violation of temperature conditions for the transportation of products with short shelf lives leads not only to their spoilage, but also to far-reaching legal consequences – fines and sanctions from government agencies.
Reliable delivery of perishable goods with TVL
Transportation of goods with short shelf life requires knowledge of a large number of nuances, rules for the execution of many accompanying documents. Professional carriers, for example, TVL, practically comply with the rules for the transportation of perishable goods on a daily basis and have up-to-date information in this area. It is worth resorting to its services in order to transport such goods without problems, correctly and safely across the territory of Ukraine and abroad.
Qualified carrier managers will offer optimal solutions for delivery by any type of transport. They will also take into account the features of your particular goods delivery in accordance with the classification of perishable goods. The company has a variety of certified equipment and machinery at its disposal, ensuring the safety of products that require different temperature and humidity conditions.
TVL will ensure documentation and control of cold parameters and provide logistical support along the entire route, guaranteeing timely delivery without losses. By contacting a professional carrier, you will receive competent advice and assistance in preparing shipping documents, as well as support at all stages of transportation.
