Shipping food is one of the more delicate operations in the world of logistics. Several factors are working against food right from the start. Fruits and vegetables, for example, have a lifespan, so if shipping takes too long, they may arrive at a retailer having passed the point where they are safe to eat. However, temperature and humidity can also play a role in food shipments, and one of the risks they present is the chance of mold infection. However, good cold-chain packaging can protect against this.
What Is Mold?
Unfortunately, mold is everywhere. The only way to eliminate it is to have a completely closed-off environment with its own independent atmospheric system. Mold reproduces by sending tiny particles drifting through the air, so mold comes in with the air every time a door or window is opened.
However, mold needs specific conditions for the spores in the air to settle down, grow, and reproduce by sending more spores into the air. Mold usually requires a dark, moist, cooler environment to proliferate.
Packing & Packaging Matter
One of the most important phases of food shipment is packing. If food products are packed away with too much condensation or moisture, this fulfills the need mold has for a damp environment. Once the food is packed away, it is dark and potentially cool. Even if the packing has gone well, and minimal moisture is present in the food, it can be introduced through humidity, depending on the environment the shipment must travel through.
Cold chain packaging can be crucial at this phase. Not only does cold chain packaging help maintain the original packing temperature, but it can also act as a vapor barrier. In the same way that the metalized layers of good cold chain packaging repel light and heat, this can also protect food products from excess moisture in the air. This is especially important during transitional periods, when cargo may be removed from the relative safety of a reefer unit, with its careful environmental controls, and placed on the tarmac, warehouses, or other uncontrolled environments while awaiting loading onto another vehicle for the next phase in the journey.
Mold is not only unsightly; it can be dangerous for health when consumed. If you want to ensure that your food product arrives in safe, consumable condition, take precautions like cold chain packaging to ensure they arrive at the right temperature and with no added moisture. If you’d like to know more, contact Protek Cargo with your questions and get a quote.
