Notes

Outline

Sanitation During Transportation Jeffrey K. Brecht, Ph.D. Horticultural Sciences Department University of Florida, Gainesville Sponsored by: USDA-CSREES CSREES Project Number 00-51110-9722 National Integrated Food Safety Initiative

Acknowledgements The following colleagues supplied information and slides used in preparing this presentation: Patrick Brecht, PEB Commodities Trevor Suslow, Univ. Calif., Davis Jim Rushing, Clemson Univ.

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Transportation Link in a Cold Chain From the Grower to the Consumer Pre-transit Handling of Perishables Dictates Quality and Shelf Life After Transport

The Postharvest  “Golden Rule” Cool It Fast & Keep It Cool! Who is responsible? growers, packers, shippers, receivers, storage operators & retailers What should the stakeholders do? assure rapid movement of products at desired holding temperatures constant refrigeration

Effects of Temperature on Horticultural Commodities

Temperature Affects Food Quality and Health Risks

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Product Packaging To aid temperature management Appropriate venting for bottom-air or top-air delivery To protect the product Stacking strength Moisture resistance

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Transportation Equipment Truck trailers and marine containers Refrigeration from diesel engines, diesel-electric generator sets or vessel electricity Top-air or bottom-air delivery Air transport containers Usually no refrigeration unit May use dry ice or eutectic substances Minimal air circulation

Top-air Delivery

Bottom-air Delivery

Stowing – No Hot Spots! Block stowing (bottom-air) air flows through vent holes in boxes Airflow stowing patterns (top-air) air flows down the entire length of the load in channels between boxes Bracing and filling Avoid blocking air movement, which causes “short cycling”

Correct Stowage in Bottom-air Delivery Containers

Incorrect Stowage

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Desirable Features For Temperature Management High capacity fan Solid front return-air bulkhead Deep floor for air circulation Temperature monitored in discharge from refrigeration unit Air channels in walls for air circulation and to help isolate load from the environment

Recording Thermometers Usually placed to measure discharge air temperature Provide documentation of refrigeration (‘reefer’) unit performance Newer types have probes to record product temperatures, too Calibrate the temperature sensors!

Microprocessor Control Measures and controls discharge & return air temperatures Documents refrigeration unit performance Optional features Cargo temperature recording Upper/lower set-point limits Atmosphere management (CA & humidity)

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Legal Perils FDA and the USDA do not include transportation in HACCP regulations However, a consignee and/or shipper can include transportation in a HACCP plan Transportation providers need to know the responsibilities and standards that they are being expected to meet

‘Due Diligence’ Transportation providers need to have temperature and diagnostics records from the refrigerated unit plus equipment maintenance records to protect themselves The burden of proof of a loss shifts to the transporter when the shipper has good records and the transporter has little or none

Recommendations Cool products rapidly after harvest and maintain cold chain throughout handling Set maximum acceptable temperatures for each commodity carried Use recording thermometers with probes to monitor product temperature Maintain records of reefer performance and maintenance

Recommendations (cont.) Use packaging compatible with the air delivery system, with excellent ventilation and strength stow properly Regularly inspect and sanitize trucks & containers Maintain records of prior cargoes and equipment cleaning