What is the best way to ship small refrigerated items?

Answer 1

Under certain circumstances, shipping perishable items is a necessity. This process can often be a task which is better left to professional services. However, with the right precautions you can undertake this event and maintain the integrity of your goods. Several considerations must be taken into account. Government bodies, like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offer many tips for completing a successful shipment. Combining these concepts with common sense will keep your perishables in good condition. For yourself and the recipient, this is essential during such a transaction.

Keep It Cold

Before you go any farther in the shipping process, you must find a way to keep your products cold. If at any point in the delivery your perishables warm up, spoilage is inevitable. According to the USDA, any temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit will be unsafe when shipping perishable items. To help combat this, a cooling source and a proper container is required. Dry ice is often used for this type of delivery. Larger shipments will usually require a stronger cooling source. As for the container, corrugated heavy duty cardboard and foam are considered acceptable. These shippers help insulate the perishables and retain the cold generated by the cooling source.

Pick a Trusted Shipper

Once you have your items stored, it is time to pick a delivery service. When shopping around for a company to ship your items, a track record of successfully shipping these packages is preferred. Generally, such a company will have trucks capable of handling cooled packages. Additionally, when shipping perishable items, a service which understands the necessity for a speedy delivery is key. Having your product shipped overnight is the optimal situation. Of course, overnight deliveries are much more expensive, but this premium is well worth it when compared to spoiled product arriving at the delivery location. If this is not feasible, then you will need to gauge just how long your shipment can withstand time away from a cold storage facility.

Accepting the Delivery

After you have packaged your product and picked the right delivery service, you need to make sure that someone will be able to receive the shipment. All of your work may be for naught if your package arrives at a time when no one will be available for extended periods. A cooled package sitting out in the elements, especially during the warmer months, stands little chance of maintaining an acceptable temperature. Therefore, having a strong level of communication with the recipient is vital to finalizing this process. Understanding their availability will help you schedule the right drop off appointment. If you are receiving a perishable product, be sure to check for ice crystals on your goods. A product should still be almost entirely frozen when it reaches your doorstep.

Ensuring the Success of Your Shipment

With this review, you should have no problems shipping perishable items going forward. Keeping your items cold is vital to maintaining an edible or safe product. Timeliness is also a prime concern, so choose wisely when you are selecting a shipping service. Once your package is on its way, make sure someone is able to take care of it immediately. An exposed shipment can be completely ruined by sitting on a porch or doorstep for hours. Follow these guidelines and you should have no problem with getting your perishables safely into the hands of your recipients.

Answer 2

Perishable food needs to be stored at coold temperatures at all times. To transport perishable food, the container it is in needs to maintain its temperature at all times. To store perishable food, the temperature needs to be about 40 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve freshness and minimize the spread of bacteria.

Answer 3

If the item will not be harmed by freezing then the best way is overnight shipping packed in dry ice.