Benefits of Temperature-Controlled Logistics
Benefits of Temperature-Controlled Logistics
Maintaining the integrity of climate-sensitive products such as perishable food supplies can be tricky. An uninterrupted cold chain is vital to ensure product quality and safety delivered to consumers. However, you no longer have to worry about what to do to keep your products in good shape. The concept of temperature-controlled logistics was made just for this predicament.
What is Temperature-Controlled Logistics?
With millions of time- and temperature-sensitive products being moved worldwide, temperature-controlled transport was specially designed to maintain the optimum environment for your cargo. These modes of transportation are more than capable of protecting your goods from the harsh environmental conditions outside while regulating the temperature and humidity within.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, frozen meat products, seafood, dairy products, snacks, and desserts all use temperature-controlled transport to ensure they stay as new and safe as possible along the journey. However, providing safe and stable conditions for always-on-the-move cargo can be challenging. If not handled with expertise and attentiveness, one mistake can cost expensive losses for your business.
Gone are the days when you have to take care of everything down to the small details. The responsibility of maintaining your goods at the optimal temperatures from the dock to the delivery point can now be shared. A rising trend even for smaller businesses is the outsourcing of third-party food e-commerce logistics companies.
Every detail counts in this business, especially if you want to avoid acquiring losses. Coming up with the best strategy is not easy, especially when you lack the know-how. Instead of purchasing temperature-controlled trucks along with building a solid temperature-controlled system from scratch, why not choose to partner with logistics companies that specialize in temperature-controlled transport. What’s there to gain when you partner with a cold-chain logistics company?
Prioritize Temperature-Specific Requirements
Not all items require the same temperature conditions. You must first identify the needs of your cargo. Less sensitive items can be transported with practical means. The same cannot be said for temperature-controlled food supplies. Perishable items, for example, are more prone to bacterial growth that can cause food poisoning and other diseases.
Stabilized Environmental Conditions
Refrigerated trucks are the most common way to transport perishable goods. While trucks have lesser capacity when compared to air and sea transports. The good thing is that it’s much more manageable to stabilize the food conditions in a limited space. Trained delivery drivers can also help keep the chain unbroken by keeping the doors tightly shut until the last moment. This way, even to a small degree, temperature changes are minimized.
Proper Packaging
Aside from keeping the temperature in check, adequate and appropriate packaging is also essential. Insulation is often recommended to minimize heat transfer through the container walls. For low temperature-sensitive items, dry ice or gel coolants are usual aids. Gel coolants are a popular option since wet ice is considerably heavier. Freezing the coolants, and the container, along with the items, are standard practices.
There are dozens of logistic companies, given that food manufacturers cannot hope to survive without them. If you’re still looking for a reliable logistics service provider, you might want to consider TreeLogs. With a fleet of vehicles outfitted with refrigeration systems, experienced drivers, and dedicated food-management teams, we have been delivering both quality and safety since 2018. We offer multiple options to fit your needs, so fill up our contact form to get started.
Tips for Temperature-Controlled Food Supplies
Tips for Time and Temperature Control for Safety Foods
Temperature-controlled food supplies require strict adherence to time and temperature regulations. Time/Temperature Control for Safety, commonly known as TCS foods, are particularly prone to grow bacteria more easily and quickly than other types of food.
TCS foods are known because they require specific time and temperature controls to ensure you can safely eat them. Due to this precarious nature, these foods are also known as potentially hazardous foods (PHFs) because they threaten your health if the bacteria growth goes out of your control.
What are some examples of TCS foods?
Common TCS foods that are more susceptible to bacteria growth include high carbohydrates and proteins. They are either neutral or slightly acidic and contain moisture. The most common would be the following:
- Meat products
- Eggs
- Fish and shellfish
- Dairy
- Cream or custard
- Cooked vegetables
- Potato dishes
- Protein-rich plants
- Raw sprouts
- Cut leafy greens
- Cut garlic in oil
- Sliced melons and tomatoes
Why do these TCS foods pose such a threat?
Simple, bacteria need three elements to thrive, which these PHFs all have: food, moisture, and warmth. Just a single bacterium doubles every 20 minutes in the conditions above. Now, imagine reaching a trillionfold in a mere 24 hours with poor attention to food safety. However, these potentially dangerous foods are common ingredients in a home kitchen, so how do you eat/process them safely?
The temperature danger zone between 41℉ and 135℉ is the breeding ground for these pathogens. These microorganisms can cause illness in just a matter of four short hours. To avoid this scenario, the foods in question must be kept out of the danger zone. This can be done with time and temperature control.
How do you ensure TCS foods are safely transported?
While home cooks have plenty of tips to ensure safe TCS food preparation, the safety standards do not start there. It all begins with temperature-controlled transport operations. The same rules of time and temperature control apply, which is why it’s doubly important to keep the cold chain supply unbroken. Otherwise, the risk of bacteria invading your system grows higher.
Food and beverage businesses rely heavily on efficient cold supply chain logistics. Otherwise, food safety and quality are compromised, and things go downhill from there. So if you’re still looking for a reliable logistics service in Singapore, then you need to know what to look for.
To avoid the worst-case scenario of spoiled and hazardous food supplies, you need to collaborate with a well-versed company in food safety management, be up-to-date with the latest technology and have a unified plan for emergencies. This is where a reliable logistics service in Singapore like TreeLogs comes into the picture. Partnering with TreeDots, its arm for the ugly food marketplace, you can rest assured that our services are optimised to your needs while cutting down the time for the cold supply chain to reach the full circle. So when you choose to partner with us, not only do you help us in our advocacy to stop food waste and food loss, you can rest assured that you get what we promise: quality service.
Temperature-Controlled Logistics
Temperature-Controlled Logistics: Fundamentals of a Supply Chain
As expected, consumers expect the wares in retail stores to be standard quality. Not only should they look good, but they must also have pretty decent longevity. Retailers and other food and beverage businesses make sure they offer an attractive selection to increase the chances of their customers getting what they need while earning them profits. However, these products need to pass down a temperature-controlled supply chain before anything else. Temperature-controlled logistics can make or break the quality of your products.
What is a Cold Chain?
The term “cold chain” refers to sustained refrigeration, which eventually gave birth to the moniker “temperature-controlled.’’The spectrum ranges from ambient, or controlled room temperature (20°C to 25°C), to refrigerated (2°C to 8°C), to cryogenic (below 0°C to as low as −150°C)
Simply put, supply chain logistic services involve the transport of products that are very particular when it comes to temperature along a chain of both thermal and refrigerated packing methods. Also included in the planning to protect the shipments’ integrity.
The key factors that compose a cold chain are the following:
- Cooling systems. This step involves regulating the temperature of commodities such as food to the suitable temperature for processing, storage, and transportation.
- Cold storage. This step entails providing storage areas to hold goods over some time. These products can either be awaiting shipment to an overseas location or be at an intermediary location to be processed and distributed to a nearby market.
- Cold transport. The required temperatures for different products must be maintained even throughout transport. This is where temperature-controlled vehicle units come in.
- Cold processing and distribution. Finally, this one calls for the provision of facilities in charge of processing goods and maintaining sanitary measures. All loads like crates, boxes, and pallets are consolidated for distribution here.
Why Should You Maintain an Uninterrupted Cold Chain?
Proper temperature management of perishable food is essential for food safety and good quality turnout. Each step along the supply chain from harvest or manufacturing to the consumers requires special attention. Otherwise, the growth of harmful microorganisms and the adulteration of these products won’t be far behind. While it’s true that different products have their temperature requirements, staying within those parameters is a general fact.
Uninterrupted cold chain services regulate proper temperature. However, human error can be inevitable with so many hands involved in different processes such as packing, lifting, hauling, and delivery. When food supplies are improperly handled, food safety is compromised. Public relations will also be a nightmare, along with sub-par and spoiled products that can prove life-threatening.
Cold chain logistics involves different processes wherein each one must be handled with both integration and coordination. Each supply chain partner must do their part to ensure smooth sailing. This is made even more complicated when different companies are involved.
All kinds of problems can break up the cold chain leading to disastrous results so why not opt for a one-stop-shop where you can be assured that staff is adequately trained in food safety management and there is uniformity in contingency planning.
TreeLogs shortens the time to move products throughout the entire cold chain process. In our effort to slowly but surely eradicate food loss, not only have we optimised our services, but we have also ensured to have an excellent working knowledge of the best practises for cold chain management, so you only get nothing less but the best. So what are you waiting for? Partner with us to deliver your products from one end to the other in the most efficient way possible.
Temperature-Controlled Food Supplies Industry
Everything You Need to Know about Temperature Control in Food Industry
Food safety is highly reliant on temperature control. Temperature-controlled food supplies follow specific procedures and conditions established to meet and maintain the standards and specifications of a given product. Aside from making sure that food safety standards are up to par, temperature control is also used to process food products, give desired characteristics (texture, color, aroma), and use it as a microbiological control parameter.
While it is vital to ensure that food is always cooked, cooled, chilled, or appropriately reheated to minimize the growth of harmful bacteria, regulating the temperature of food in storage comes first. Temperature is an irreplaceable part of many processes in the food industry. These processes include an uninterrupted cold chain aided by temperature-controlled vehicles (refrigerated trucks), a moderately high temperature during processing, or sustained temperature during fermentation.
Which food products need temperature control?
High-risk products typically include meat, but even dry goods such as grains and vegetables are more than likely to contain bacteria that will only grow if temperature control is poorly maintained. Therefore, before the food reaches the kitchen for processing, you have to be sure such perishable food should always be stored out of the danger zone of 8 – 63ºC to offset the growth of sickness-inducing bacteria.
How Can You Regulate Temperature Control?
Temperature control is a core element of food safety management systems. For example, freezers and cold storage compartments are fitted with a temperature-recording device. It is also commonplace for these compartments to have automatic control for regulating temperature or even an alarm system that promptly warns of any significant temperature change.
The presence of these measuring and regulating devices are not enough. They need to be correctly calibrated and maintained to give accurate readings to ensure that nothing goes wrong. In addition, raw materials, other ingredients, and processed products must be held in bulk or in containers designed built to safeguard from contamination and allergen cross-contact.
Which Cold Chain Transport Should You Trust?
Do you require transport of temperature-sensitive products for your business operations in Singapore? Then, a temperature-controlled logistics solution such as TreeLogs could be just what you need. We accept meat and seafood, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, snacks, and desserts for transport. As a one-stop service that meets the existing delivery requirements for food & beverage suppliers, it can save you both time and money with our competitive pricing.
You can rest assured that we adhere to stringent standards for frozen, chilled, and ambient temperature food and beverage products. Our temperature-controlled trucks and our reliable and trained drivers work together to ensure food safety, so you only get the best quality delivered to you.
If you’re still on the lookout for a temperature-controlled logistics solution to deliver temperature-controlled food supplies in Singapore, then look no further with TreeLogs. Along with its ugly food marketplace arm, TreeDots, the company aims to stop food waste along the supply chain. Food waste makes up 11% of the total waste generated in Singapore alone. According to the Singapore Environment Council, 393,000 tonnes of produce wasted along the food supply chain equates to about S$2.54 billion in annual food loss. Save on costs and food loss when you choose to partner with TreeLogs.
Small Lifestyle Changes You Can Do For a Better World
Small Lifestyle Changes You Can Do For a Better World
2022 is here. With the new year, you must have several resolutions lined up. Instead of limiting yourself to personal goals, why not add into the list some small lifestyle changes that contribute to a sustainable world.
1. Group Buy your Groceries
Group buying groceries literally mean just that but what can you gain from it? For starters, bulk buying groceries give you easy access to market inventory at affordable prices. Even better, when you join a group buy, you’re giving ugly produce a chance. While not the most aesthetically pleasing, they are just as nutritious as their counterparts. Buying ugly produce will save them from inevitable disposal and help reduce the global food waste problem.
2. Optimize your food storage
A fridge packed full of grocery items looks disorganized and not to mention very costly in energy. To avoid food spoilage and ensure sanitary conditions for your food, employ the FIFO (First In First Out) method. It simply means using first the food you first bought. It saves you precious time and energy.
3. Plan your meals
Another goal in helping you be more organized has to do with your meal cycles. If you prepare in advance what you’re going to eat for a week, you can readily determine the list of ingredients and their quantities that you need to order.
4. Be conscious of serving sizes
While it may seem like a no-brainer, food waste is still rampant nowadays. Only cook or serve what you and your family can finish. There are plenty of pictographs online to check the appropriate portion for every food variety to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients.
5. Be resourceful with your ingredients
Leftovers don’t always have to go straight to the trash. There are plenty of recipes that make use of simple ingredients easily found in your kitchen.
6. Go natural in your waste disposal and home cleaning products
If you’re not a fan of using leftover ingredients, you can still use them to freshen up your waste disposal and even as natural cleaning agents.
Food waste is a major problem that’s been around for years. Share these useful tips with your family, friends, and others in the community. Ending food waste starts at home. Raise social awareness now for every small action we take matters. Something as small as proper food storage can make all the difference.
5 Ways to Recycle Fruit and Vegetable Peels
5 Ways to Recycle Fruit and Vegetable Peels
We all know that a healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, it is also common practice to throw away their peels. If you don’t want to miss out on the nutrients they offer, check out this guide on how you can recycle fruit and vegetable peels.
1. Cook up those peels for nutritious snacks
Potatoes are extremely versatile. You can even use their peels for some crunchy and savory chips.
- Soak them in water for at least 20 mins and take them out to dry.
- You can then add your desired seasonings such as garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or even chili pepper if you want to spice things up.
- From here on out, you can choose to either drizzle them in some oil and bake them in the oven or fry them up in oil. Now you can enjoy guilt-free snacks.
Carrot peels can also be healthy munchies.
- Just dip them in a mixture made from flour, eggs, and your favorite spices.
- Deep fry is the best way to go but make sure you’re using healthy alternatives such as olive oil.
2. Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Olive Oil
Apple cider vinegar is nothing new for cooks who know their way around the kitchen but did you ever consider making your own instead of buying from the grocery store? Make use of those apple peels you were about to throw away.
- Wash them thoroughly.
- Fill up a jar with peels and even apple cores.
- Add water and sugar. Stir well.
- Ensure that the peels are completely submerged to prevent mold.
- Cover with a coffee filter. Seal tightly with the outer ring of the lid.
- Let it sit at room temperature for a week. Don’t forget to stir once a day.
- When you see bubbles on the surface, strain the solution.
- Compost the peels.
- Let the mixture sit until it reaches your desired acidity.
- Cover with a lid or a closed bottle to stop fermentation.
- Store it in the refrigerator to last you a year.
Ever heard of lemon olive oil? Now you can make your own.
- Use a peeler to peel the lemons but make sure to avoid the white pith unless you want your oil to turn out bitter.
- Pre-heat a medium-sized pot with olive oil and toss in the peels.
- Let it simmer on very low heat for 15-20 mins.
- Strain out the peels.
- Transfer the oil to capped battle or another resealable container.
- If stored in a refrigerator, this can easily last you a few weeks. Make sure to dispose of it when you see signs of spoilage.
3. Apple Tea or Apple Smoothie for Refreshments
Whether you need something to warm you up or to quench your thirst on a hot day, apple peels can help you with that.
If you prefer apple tea:
- Toss apple peels in a boiling pot of water.
- Add cinnamon and sugar to taste.
- Let it simmer for about 10 mins.
- Strain out the peels.
- Enjoy a piping cup of apple tea.
When you need some refreshing drink:
- Toss in your washed apple peels in a blender.
- Add some strawberries, bananas, and a whole apple for added flavor and fiber.
- You can opt to add almond milk to sweeten.
- Blend and enjoy!
4. Skincare Needs
The next time you take a well-deserved soak in the bath, don’t forget your fruit peels.
- Toss in your orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit peels in the bathwater.
- The hot water draws out the natural essence which creates an aromatic and spa-like treatment to help you feel relaxed.
- If you need to stock up on peels, store your collected peels in an airtight container in cold storage.
You’ve seen plenty of skincare products infused with natural ingredients so why not make your own with a simple recipe? If you frequently use your juicer, you’ll have plenty of peels ready to be discarded. Instead of throwing them away, use them to invigorate your skin.
- You can turn them into a nutrient-packed facial scrub by adding in sugar, honey, and olive oil.
- Apply directly on your skin. Let it rest for at least 10 mins.
- Rinse thoroughly and marvel at your refreshed skin.
5. DIY Home Cleaning Products
If you don’t find it appealing to use your peels because they have bad spots, you can still use them for your waste reduction efforts.
- Simply toss your fruit peels in the garbage disposal.
- Lemon is a favorite choice to throw in your disposer at monthly intervals.
Living a green lifestyle doesn’t have to end with your meal plans. A healthy diet goes a long way but why not take it one step further to stop food waste. Repurpose your once useless fruit and vegetable peels. You can find all sorts of uses for them in your home. From healthy snacks to skincare regimens, and even natural cleaning products, perishable food solutions are endless.