The problem is happening everywhere…carriers are being caught transporting food products at unsafe temperature conditions, but out of the numerous carriers being cited, several more are slipping by due to a large loophole in the system.
Over 85 million shipments of food are transported each year according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), with many of these shipments becoming contaminated due to improper refrigeration units.
As Scott DeFife from the National Restaurant Association explains, “Restaurants and their suppliers should have internal policies and procedures about food temperature” as well as “work closely with their vendors and be vigilant about the integrity of their supply chain” to “ensure that the products they receive meet food quality and safety standards” (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44616701/ns/today/t/statements-made-response-today-investigation-food-delivery-trucks/)
Not transporting food under specific temperature settings can be very dangerous to a consumer’s health, with salmonella and other conditions at stake. As time goes by, more and more cases of unsafe equipment are operating on the road.
Just two months ago, MSNBC revealed a series of trucks in Indiana delivering foods that surpassed the state’s law requiring reefers to maintain a temperature of 41 degrees or lower. The trucks were transporting food products at 70 degrees, well above the limit.
If that’s not enough, authorities have also caught a truck traveling to Indianapolis from Chicago with cargo that included meat, eggs, and produce, operating at trailer temperatures measured at 94.7 degrees, MSNBC’s TODAY notes. As the trooper who uncovered the illegal temperatures noted, “Upon opening the door, I immediately saw flies and we were overcome with a strong odor of rotten food… All the juices have run down on the rest of the load. It is not safe at all.”
But how are so many of these trucks slipping by? The answer involves a major loophole that prevents health inspectors from stopping these trucks and state inspectors, who can, from having any authority on the ones they do find in violation, letting them continue onto their destination if the board of health does not show up, the news station explains.
Road Scholar Transport’s staff monitors the temperature within the trailer (and your freight) with their ReeferTrak system, being alerted of even the slightest change in degree of temperature. Our ReeferTrak system will provide you, the customer, with the ability to see the temperature of your freight, as well as its location, at any given time, with accessibility months after delivery so you don’t have to deal with the problem of disposing your freight due to contamination.
But not everyone will ship with a secure carrier like Road Scholar, which is why MSNBC states that authorities are urging a new law from Congress or rule form the U.S. Department of Transportation, giving troopers more authority.
Watch Eyewitness News’ coverage on the issue by clicking on the video to the right.
Why risk your food products being ruined due to improper transport conditions when you can ship with a safe company who recognizes and abides by rules and regulations?
Learn more about Road Scholar’s temperature-regulated trailers at http://www.roadscholar.com/and to view our certifications.
What do you think needs to be done to prevent refrigerated service carriers from operating at unsafe temperatures? Let us know below.
