Tips & Tricks for Shipping Perishable Products
Meal delivery services and online grocery shopping services are becoming increasingly popular and convenient for customers. Inside these kits and orders are often perishable items such as produce, non-refrigerated perishables, refrigerated items and even frozen items that all need to be stored at a certain temperature in order to maintain quality and freshness. The concept of shipping perishable food can often be daunting as the quality of your product is often a reflection of your business and ensuring your customers are happy is a main ticket to repeat business.
Learn about some of the best tips and tricks for packing and shipping your perishable products below.
Shipping Non-Refrigerated Perishables
Non-refrigerated food items with a short shelf life could include certain types of produce, breads, pastries, etc. Although these items do not need to be refrigerated it is important to think about external factors such as weather that could affect the integrity of the food. It is typically best practice to package these types of items in the same way you would for refrigerated items in order to ensure quality at time of delivery.
Shipping Refrigerated Perishables
Refrigerated perishables can include items such as dairy products, meat, seafood, fresh produce, etc. Shipping food items such as these can often be tricky as you risk sacrificing the quality, taste, texture, and appearance of your product if it is not packed properly. It is recommended to be able to maintain the desired temperature in your box for a minimum of 30 hours. Look at the steps below to ensure your product is packaged efficiently for shipping:
1. Preparing Your Product
Depending on the type of product that you are shipping, it is recommended to precool or freeze your item prior to shipping in order to prevent condensation and keep the package cooler for a longer period of time. Additionally, it is important to protect your product from potential harm such as water leakage from thawed materials or damage from other contents in the box. Some solutions include airtight wrapping, leak proof packaging, padding, foam inserts, bubble wrap and more.
2. Packaging
Choosing the right combination of insulated packaging materials can help your box stay the desired temperature for a longer period of time. When packaging refrigerated items, it is best to use cold/ice packs around your product and there are many different sizes and types available to suit your needs. Below we have listed some insulated packaging options:
➢ Insulated Bubble Box Liners
➢ Deluxe Insulated Box Liners
➢ Insulated Shipping Kits
➢ Moisture Safe Cold Packs
➢ Cold Packs
➢ Insulated Foam Containers
➢ Insulated Bubble Mailers
➢ Insulated Bubble Rolls
It is crucial to do some research to find out what temperature your products need to be at and how long you can maintain these temperatures for shipping in order to understand what types of materials to use.
3. Tips and Tricks
➢ Carrier (such as a cardboard box), 360° Insulator (box liner or foam containers), and the right number of cold packs (reusable or single use) are the three main things to consider and perfect based off the needs of your product
➢ If there are objects in your package that can thaw or leak, make sure to line your box with plastic or other materials to avoid it from becoming soggy.
➢ Instead of using filler such as packing paper, use cold packs and other insulators that can help prevent movement and maintain the temperature of the box.
Shipping Frozen Perishables
Frozen perishables can include items such as frozen meats/ seafoods, ice cream and other frozen desserts, frozen fruits, etc. The process for shipping frozen food is much the same as refrigerated in terms of selecting the packaging materials that will be best suited. The main difference with shipping frozen foods is that it is recommended to use dry ice instead of cold packs. Although, there are additional regulations and prices associated with shipping dry ice as it is a hazardous shipping material and requires special handling during the shipping process.
Choose the Right Shipping Company
Choosing the right shipping partner to deliver your products to your customer safely and on time is important. Finding a shipping company that offers overnight delivery is typically the best way to ensure your product will arrive safely, although some foods may be appropriate to ship with a 1–2-day delivery option. It is recommended to ship your items early in the week to avoid the potential of your delivery getting delayed over the weekend and it is always suggested to get a tracking number with your delivery. This allows for you to keep an eye on the real-time position of your package to ensure it is making progress and will reach your customer safely and on time. We suggest looking at the shipping options available to you in your area and weigh your options accordingly.
In Need of Top-Quality Packaging Materials to Ship Your Perishables?
Whether you are a big or small business looking for shipping solutions for your perishable products, The Packaging Company has got a solution for you. Our high quality insulated packaging materials and the right packaging tips will help you get your product to your customer while maintaining the quality, texture, taste, and appearance of your product. Visit our website today to place your order!
