Particularly where food transportation is concerned, in recent years, small, medium, and large fleets have seen numerous changes. Some of these have everything to do with refrigerated transportation. Seven major rules were introduced by the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) which apply to the transportation, harvesting, and growing of food. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration), thanks to the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food rule, has the authority to protect foods during refrigerated transportation by keeping them free from contamination.
The Sanitary Transportation Rule
This rule regulates and governs food transportation and applies to carriers and shippers. It establishes regulations for transportation equipment and vehicles used for food products, as well as rules for clear maintenance records, personnel training, and how the food is transported. The regulation now covers both small and large fleets, and everything in between.
Rejected Loads
Fresh products are always in demand, from fresh strawberries to bananas to fresh flowers. To safely transport them, also in demand are refrigerated trailers and trucks. To say that cargo types in this industry have created versatility would be an understatement. While there are clear financial advantages to reefer fleets, they present challenges, nonetheless.
Should the worst happen, and a load drop below the required temperature, contamination can occur, food can spoil, FSMA regulations may be compromised, and the load can be rejected. None of those is a good thing! With advancements in technology, however, keeping an eye on chilled or cold cargo can be easier.
How Do Rejected Loads During Refrigerated Transportation Affect Businesses?
An entire business can be seriously impacted by a rejected load. Carriers, specifically, can be hurt in the following ways:
- Customer relations (one spoiled load can ruin a reputation)
- Increasing costs
- “Empty” miles
- Disposal
- Compensation
How to Avoid Trouble During Refrigerated Transportation
The following are ways in which you can see to it that your cargo safely reaches its destination and ensure FSMA compliance:
- Increase control from the head office. You can save the day with remote, two-way control by making sure that the head office knows when an accidental defrost threatens.
- With the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food FSMA rule, and other rules and regulations applying to food transportation, stay in regulatory compliance at all times.
- Acquire proof of delivery immediately. Invariably, the blame is going to be placed on the carrier or the driver if something goes wrong. Vital for each refrigerated unit are auditing, compliance, and documentation. Be able to prove that you delivered your load safely.
- Notifications in a timely manner. Early warning signs of existing issues can be quickly detected by real-time cargo temperature monitoring.
- Stop driver error. More than 200 alarm codes are used in most modern refrigeration units today. But that means your assets are threatened by 200 potential problems! Driver error can be prevented, in part, by Automatic Error Detection status information and reports.
- Avoid equipment failure. An entire shipment can fail if the refrigeration unit fails. Unfortunately, breakdowns happen. Active Alarm installation can instantly recognize reefer equipment failure in an effort to combat potential damage. With this, dispatchers will likely know there’s a problem even before the driver does.
- Stop unknowingly loading cargo at the wrong temperature. If produce is left sitting for a long time at the loading dock, you could well be putting a hot load into a refrigerated unit. Financial pressures and compliance issues are put upon carriers by transporting “hot loads”. Prevent hot loads with Advanced Temperature Monitoring.
Mickey Genuine Parts Helps Refrigerated Transport Companies
Mickey Genuine Parts offers refrigerated transportation companies and all of our consumers the utmost in customer support, premier equipment, exceptional manufacturing, parts, sales, certified service locations, and over 100 years of experience. To best fill the needs of your company or your individual truck, van, or trailer parts, service, and purchasing needs, our knowledgeable team will work together with you and your fleet manager. We stand behind everything we sell, even our used products. Contact us today to find out how Mickey can be of assistance.