The waste of food in transport is a constant challenge for companies working in the cold chain and in the distribution of perishable products. Besides the economic impact, there are losses represented by environmental and social factors, as they reduce the available food for consumption.
Guaranteeing that the products arrive at their destinations in perfect condition demands planning, technology and good handling practices. Find out how we can help your company!
What causes waste of food in transport?
Various factors can compromise the integrity of the foods during transport, including:
- Unsuitable control of temperature and humidity — thermal variations can speed up the deterioration, especially in fresh or frozen products;
- Incorrect handling — unsuitable stacking and impacts during loading or unloading can damage packaging and products;
- Insufficient or unsuitable packaging — less resistant materials or ones not designed for the type of cargo increase the risk of defects;
- Lack of trackability — without monitoring, problems of conservation can go unnoticed until the product arrives at its destination;
- Faulty logistics planning — inefficient routes and delays increase the time of exposure to unfavorable conditions.
Knowing about these factors is essential to implementing solutions. To find out more about how we work in this process, check out our solutions for transport of foods!
Principal impacts of waste of food in transport
According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates, about a third of food produced globally is lost or wasted, and a significant portion of those losses occur during transport.
Among the principal impacts are:
- Financial — money spent on production, transport and storage are wasted, along with the goods;
- Environmental — increased greenhouse gas emissions due to waste and improper disposal;
- Social — reduction in the supply of food and consequent impact on food security.
How to avoid the waste of food in transport?
Reducing losses during transport requires a set of integrated measures. In the following, we present fundamental strategies which, when applied together, contribute to greater efficiency and preservation of quality.
Strict temperature control
In operations involving perishable products, the thermal control is non-negotiable.
Calibrated refrigeration and continuous monitoring systems avoid the temperature moving outside the proper intervals. This applies both to refrigerated spaces (0 °C to 5 °C) and to freezing rooms (-18 °C or less).
Small variations can speed up processes of deterioration or compromise food safety.
Efficient logistics management
Good route planning and time periods reduce journey time and avoid unnecessary exposure of the foods to conditions of risk.
The use of optimization and logistics performance analysis tools guarantees that the transport takes place in a more agile manner and as safely as possible.
Proper storage of the foods
Correct organization of the load, spaced for circulation of air and secure stacking is vital.
Packaging must be resistant and appropriate to the nature of the product. With foods sensitive to humidity, it is very important to choose materials with protection barriers.
Technologies for tracking in real time
Constant monitoring is a strategic ally, where trackability systems enable accompaniment of the location, temperature and humidity of the load throughout the whole journey.
This visibility allows fast response if there is any diversion, avoiding losses.
Training of the transport team
When we are talking about avoiding the waste of food in transport, we should highlight the good operating practices.
Training the drivers, load operators and warehouse professionals guarantees that everyone knows how to deal with perishable foods correctly, respecting the storage conditions and reacting properly to situations of risk.
Find out about our temperature-controlled transport solutions
We rely on an extensive network for the transport of temperature-controlled foods on both domestic and international routes. We work in 11 countries with a modern, well equipped fleet, guaranteeing the integrity of the perishables at all stages of the cold chain.
Our services include refrigerated and frozen transport, temperature control in real time, optimized routes and customized solutions for each type of load.
Besides this, we also offer value added services, such as container yards, cargo pump inlets and support for customs documentation and processes.
Whether in the domestic market or in international trade, we connect producers, distributors and retailers in an agile and secure manner. With a presence in the principal markets of Latin America and strategic global partners, we facilitate cross-border trade and expansion to new destinations.
Conclusion
Knowing how to avoid the waste of food during transport requires integration between logistics planning, suitable infrastructure, monitoring technologies and training of the team.
By adopting these strategies, companies can reduce losses, optimize costs and contribute to a more sustainable and secure supply chain.
We are specialists in the storage and transport of perishable foods. Get in touch with us and find out how we can help you protect your products and guarantee efficiency at each stage of the process!
