Monitoring Temperatures Throughout the Cold Chain

A top challenge the cold chain is temperature excursions, which can affect perishable item quality and safety. Incorporating a real-time temperature monitoring system will help businesses save money on “shrink”–spoiled perishable items. If a Cargo Data Lightning Real Time temperature monitoring instrument detects temperatures outside the ideal range, the producer, carrier, and receiving customer will share the data and work together to determine if the entire shipment is compromised. There are specific limitations for highly sensitive seafood products, such as ahi tuna, in which a “degree-minute” calculation is made. If it is determined that the product was over the required temperature for a certain amount of time, the entire shipment would be declared unsafe and documentation of destruction logged. This would likely cost a trucker’s insurance company more than $100k. The data collected from our devices matters.

Documenting In-Transit Conditions

Believe it or not, downloading conventional “data loggers” and documenting the storage conditions is often forgotten or just plain neglected. If this vital step is neglected, the owner of the truck and the receiving customer will not be able to pass an audit showing that they verified product safety upon arrival. This can potentially leave all parties subject to liability and fines. As with any Federal regulation/rule, compliance with the rules is confirmed by documenting how compliance is achieved and transactional record-keeping. Cargo Data’s Lightning Real Time temperature monitoring instruments are designed to automatically provide this essential documentation. In order to access that data, simply visit cargodatacorp.com and enter the serial number into the UpLink field on the homepage.

Complying with FSMA Requirements

Due to the Food Safety Modernization Act, the stakes have never been higher. Failure to implement an effective cold chain monitoring program could subject companies to significant liability. The FSMA sets new standards and compliance rules for how food products are transported and stored. Among the new requirements, producers, carriers, and receiving customers must collaborate to ensure that perishable food products are confirmed safe during each step of transportation. If any product becomes suspected of adulteration or abusive handling, that product is kicked out of the supply chain until it is confirmed safe.

Contact Cargo Data For More Information

If you’d like to know more about our real time temperature monitoring and how to to overcome cold chain challenges, contact Cargo Data today at (800) 338-8134.