Packaging Tips for Perishable Foods
Improper packaging materials can cause product damage. The perishable shipping experts at PeriShip will provide the knowledge and know-how you need to pack your products for safe and cost-effective delivery.
Interested in a packaging review? We can help. Please submit your contact information and we will be in touch soon!
Baked Goods
Shipping cakes, pastries, breads? No problem. These items can be delivered successfully year-round. Most cakes, pastries, pizza, and raw dough should be shipped frozen, particularly if the baked good has icing. Shipping using dry ice is a great way to ensure your items remain frozen in transit.
Shipping baked goods made from all natural ingredients? Make sure you test your products to confirm freezing is safe and won’t impact the quality. Freezing certain products could cause damage. In these situations, using gel packs for shipping is a good option. Most baked goods have a high fat content resulting in a higher melting point and faster defrosting rate. Including proper packing materials and coolants is vital to preserving the quality of your products.
Cheese
While cheese is a dairy product, it has its own requirements for temperature and preservation. In general, cheeses of all types ship very well year-round. The requirements for hard and soft cheese are different, with further distinctions between hard, semi-hard, soft, and semi-soft cheeses. Hard cheeses are made from unpasteurized milk and are aged, moisture deplated, and are drier. These cheeses easy to ship year-round over extended transit times and do not require gels to maintain food safety. Although refrigeration is not required, it may help to preserve the quality of the cheese, especially during warmer months.
Consider the mindset of your customers. In the U.S., most people believe cheese needs to be kept cold and may refuse a shipment that is not refrigerated. In this case, using gel packs to maintain lower temperatures is recommended.
Most cheeses made in the U.S. are soft cheeses made with pasteurized milk. These cheeses are more uniform and consistent and ship well year-round, however, gel packs are required. During the summer months, expedited transit times are suggested to preserve product quality.
Chocolates
Chocolates are favorite gift to receive, but not if they arrive in poor condition. There are a number of factors to consider for shipping. Chocolate is very sensitive to temperature and begins melting at 90°F when the cocoa butter starts to heat, and melts completely between 104°F and 113°F. It is also sensitive to humidity levels above 50%.
Chocolate needs to be stored away from heat, light, and other foods. Strong odors can be absorbed by the chocolate which will ruin the taste. Blooming is another potential issue. Blooming occurs when chocolate absorbs enough moisture to cause a white discoloration or powdery exterior as fat or sugar crystals rise to the surface. When chocolate is exposed to extreme temperatures, it will develop an oily texture. While still safe for consumption, any of these issues will create a visually unappealing product.
Dairy
Milk, butter, eggs, and creams can be successfully shipped year-round. Frozen yogurt, ice cream, and butter need to be shipped frozen. Include dry ice to retain safe temperatures. Note that frozen gel packs can be used but for shorter transit times.
All other dairy items may be shipped using gel packs to maintain proper temperatures. Items such as eggs require special packing and handling to avoid damage. Approximately 38F° is an ideal temperature for shipping most dairy products.
Frozen dairy desserts and ice cream need to maintain consistent temperatures below -10°F. Airtight packing materials are required to ensure the product arrives without loss of flavor and to maintain proper consistency and texture.
Seafood
Fresh finfish, shellfish, and other seafood items can be shipped successfully year-round if proper temperatures are maintained. Gel packs can be used to keep seafood between 38°F and 48°F during transit.
An additional item to consider when shipping seafood is proper insulation. While it is imperative to maintain proper temperatures, improper packaging can lead to unwanted moisture or dehydration.
Sealing products in polyethylene bags, using moisture-proof containers, and avoiding contact with wet ice will help to preserve the quality of your products. In addition, carriers are sensitive to products that may leak. ‘Tip tests’ may be conducted before accepting shipments.
Consider a packaging review to make sure your products arrive in the best condition possible.
Fresh Produce
Whether frozen or fresh, produce can be shipped year-round if proper care is used. When shipping frozen produce, dry ice is recommended to preserve the temperature and integrity of the products. Frozen gel packs may be used when transit times are shorter. For fresh produce, gel packs will help to maintain proper temperatures.
Certain types of produce such as lettuce and herbs will be damaged beyond use when exposed to dry ice and freezing temperatures. When exposed to temperatures that are too low, these products become irreversibly damaged.
When shipping items with a soft or fleshy skin such as heirloom tomatoes or peaches, additional packing materials, techniques, liners, or individual containers need to be included to avoid damage.
Juices
Frozen and refrigerated juices are simple to ship if proper handling and care are implemented. Use frozen gel packs or dry ice for frozen juices. Even slightly defrosted, these juices will be fine. Natural juices should only be shipped with gel packs to maintain the integrity of the natural ingredients. For pasteurized juices or products make from concentrate, dry ice is an option, however, gel packs may be used if transit times are shorter.
Cold-pressed juices free from added preservatives and artificial sweeteners can offer a variety of health and wellness benefits. Maintaining proper temperatures for these items helps to enhance the flavor, quality, and efficacy.
Meats
Most beef and wild game meat ships well frozen, even with extended transit times. Frozen meat is essentially a refrigerant. Adding dry ice or frozen gel packs helps to preserve product quality, even with extended transit times.
Most fresh cuts of meat should be kept at a temperature between 33°F and 42°F. Prime choice cuts of meat should be stored a slightly cooler temperatures between 33°F and 38°F. Gel packs should be used for both ranges. Depending on the delivery destination, extended transit times are possible which can save on shipping costs. During the warmer months, two-day shipping may be possible, however, overnight delivery is ideal to maintain optimal freshness.
For pre-cooked and prepared meats, dry ice is the refrigerant of choice. Frozen gel packs may be utilized for extended transit times. If a shipment arrives slightly defrosted, refreezing the product is acceptable if acceptable temperature ranges have been maintained.