Thanks to current advancements in logistics, even small brick-and-mortar stores can get their products to remote customers. There are some considerations that need to be made for shipping perishable items, but these can be solved with appropriate delivery times and cold storage shipping. Here are a few tips to get you started. 

How to Safely Ship Your Perishable Products

1. Assess What You’re Shipping

Different perishable items will have different shipping needs. For instance, jarred jams may not pose the same risk of spoiling as a meal kit containing meat or fresh produce. Determine the temperature your product must maintain as well as the size of the package, temperature of its delivery location, and time it will take to ship your product. To ensure the safety of any edible products, you may need to limit your delivery radius. Review any applicable regulations, as well. For example, the USDA requires a shipping temperature of 26–32 degrees Fahrenheit for any poultry labeled “fresh.”

2. Consider Packaging

Innovations in cold storage have made it possible to ship cold products safely and at greater distances than ever before. Insulated packaging prevents spoilage by keeping perishable items within a safe target temperature range. Consider insulated box liners and insulated pouches for the items themselves.

Frozen gel refrigerant packs can further aid in temperature regulation. These are typically made from phase-change materials, which are nontoxic pouches that absorb heat to prevent your package contents from getting too warm.

3. Select a Shipping Partner 

When you assess logistics partners who offer pick-ups in your area and can ship to your desired destinations, be on the lookout for companies that specialize in cold storage. The best partners will offer temperature monitoring from the point of receipt to delivery and will be able to guarantee delivery within your necessary timeframe. For example, there may be USDA or FDA regulations that require your shipping time to be under 24 to 48 hours, so find a dependable team that can consistently deliver on time.

If you run a business and are exploring shipping options for your perishable items, turn to Unicold Corporation in Honolulu. As the state of Hawaii's leading frozen food shipping company, this team is equipped with cold storage solutions to keep your products cold from your location to their destination. Find out more about their services online or by calling (808) 836-2931.