Companies that manufacture perishable food products face unique challenges when it comes to shipping their goods long distances. The goal of delivering perishable food products so they arrive at their destination as fresh as they day they were loaded into a shipping container is vital. If you are wondering what your options are for getting your products to your customers as fresh as possible, follow these tips for helping you do so.

Taking A Closer Look At Refrigerated Shipping Containers

Not every refrigerated shipping container, also called reefers, is the same, so making the right choices for the ones you use is essential to your final profits. When looking for a container that will maintain the freshness of your perishable food products, check for these features first:

  • The container that includes an integral refrigeration unit is a good idea, especially if you plan to ship your products overseas. Integrated refrigeration units can be water-powered through a connection to the ship carrying it.

  • Integrated refrigeration units in your shipping container can also be powered by electrical connection if you plan to ship by railroad or roadway.

  • When you choose a reefer container, be sure to select one that has an external compressor. If there are troubles with the temperature inside your container, technicians can make repairs to the compressor without disturbing the food products. If a compressor is inside the container, the food products will need to be removed for repairs, meaning your products are exposed to temperature fluctuations that could cause them to spoil quickly.

Insulated Shipping Containers for Perishable Foods

Insulated shipping containers are used for shipping perishable food products long distances, but they are cooled differently than the type with refrigeration units inside. An insulated container has portholes that are designed to fit into a ship's cooling system. Once the insulated container is connected to a cooling system, it is easy to maintain internal container temperatures. The benefit of using insulated containers is when there is a problem with the cooling unit, the ship owner is responsible for repairs. For this reason, however, making sure you insure all the products you ship in containers is important to avoid profit losses due to temperature issues.

Making the most profits from your food product business depends a great deal on the choices you make about shipping. Selecting the proper shipping container for your products will help ensure you get paid for your shipments every time. Talk to a shipping supply company like Portland Packaging Co Inc to learn more.

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