Food transportation rules – essential guidelines

While transporting all cargo involves the need to follow specific rules, they are extremely strict when transporting food. Why? What rules must be met to transport a food commodity safely? We answer.

Why do food products require extra protection in transportation?

In transporting food products, the most questionable issue is undoubtedly that of rapid spoilage without providing the cargo with the right conditions – such as room temperature, coolness, dry environment, etc. Failure to comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations could have serious consequences, as the goods must be withdrawn from use and disposed of. This is because its consumption could prove hazardous to health. A minor mistake can be very significant in its consequences and equal a large financial loss.

Products intended for human consumption must also not be contaminated in any way. Unwanted substances from outside could not only change their properties but also pose a threat to human health or life.

It should also be noted that the shelf life of certain groups of products could be a lot longer. Therefore, transportation from one place to another must be fast enough so that they do not spoil en route and can be bought by customers or further processed. Any delays are therefore not only not recommended but outright ruled out.

In conclusion, non-compliance will not only result in financial loss. It can put people’s health and lives at risk.

What kind of vehicles are used for road transportation of food?

Depending on the needs of food products from different groups, it may be necessary to maintain the optimal temperature – room temperature, warm, or cool. There are three types of vehicles to choose from when transporting products in the cold:

• isotherms – have insulated walls that prevent the interior from cooling or warming in response to external factors. However, they do not have a cooling system;
• refrigerated warehouses – with wall and roof insulation and a compressor unit that provides mechanical cooling and temperature reduction capabilities down to -20°C;
• icehouses – with wall and roof insulation and a cooling system without a chiller (e.g., using ice or liquefied gas).

Food transportation – legal requirements

Due to the gravity of the consequences of improperly executed food transportation, it is subject to legal regulations. To undertake such an assignment, the carrier must meet the following requirements:

• the District Sanitary Inspectorate should approve the vehicle;
• if the food being transported is meat, the vehicle should be registered with the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate;
• the driver should have a valid sanitary-epidemiological booklet;
• if other goods are also transported by the vehicle, they must be washed and disinfected before the food is delivered again, and any such process must be recorded. The same, moreover, applies not only to the car but also to the loading and unloading area, which must also be clean and prepared for contact with food;
• suppose the product must be transported at the correct temperature. In that case, the car should have a system that checks the temperature in real-time and records the measurement results (e.g., a thermograph). This last condition must be met to exclude the risk of accidental thawing and re-freezing of the cargo, which could lead to spoilage;
• in the case of food products of plant origin, it is necessary to maintain protection from external contamination and pests.

The law also imposes certain obligations on drivers and carriers. The first is appropriately marking the car with an ATP sticker or plate. There should also be a certificate of compliance of the means of transportation with the ATP agreement on the driver’s equipment. Failure to show it in the event of an inspection risks a hefty fine. Kit, in turn, should have a certificate awarded by the ATP Testing Laboratory. Periodic tests every six years are also necessary unless there are other recommendations.

What should be kept in mind when transporting food?

As we mentioned above, inadequate protection of cargo containing food products can have severe consequences. Significantly, these will fall on the carrier responsible for getting the goods to their destination in an unaltered condition. The Convention decides this on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR). Nonetheless, much also depends on adequately completed shipping documents by the principal. Properly securing the cargo is also in his interest, as he cares that it does not spoil in transit.

If you want to avoid problems that could result in the exclusion of products from consumption, it is worth relying on the help of specialists. Professional services, such as those provided by a company offering, among other things, food transportation – AsstrA – can be a good choice.