The reason why reefer containers are so indispensable in the modern cold chain sector is their ability to create the ideal temperature for perishables. Modern reefer containers like those from Tradecorp use high-end refrigeration machines that can provide the perfect storage environment with the best temperature.
Even so, not all perishables have the same quality. Some items like apples and pears can stand lower temperatures from 0°C to 4°C (32°F to 39.2°F), while tropical fruits like bananas require higher storage temperatures.
As a result, we just can’t store perishables in reefer containers without determining their best storage temperature.
Why Store Perishables in Reefer Containers
Creating the best temperature for perishables in reefer containers will save us from a world of problems due to the irresponsible handling of these items.
Ensuring Freshness and Quality
Reefer containers are essential when preserving the quality and freshness of perishable items during transit. Maintaining a steady, chilly temperature throughout the transportation of fruits, vegetables, dairy goods, or meat helps to keep them fresher longer.
Perishables can spoil quickly without adequate refrigeration, resulting in a large amount of waste and financial losses. Goods arrive in reefer containers in the best possible condition, with flavor, texture, and nutritional content all preserved thanks to the temperature control.
Preventing Health Risks
It is important to store perishables in reefer containers to inhibit the formation of hazardous bacteria and diseases. If perishables like dairy and seafood are not stored at the proper temperatures, they can become harmful for consumption.
Reefer containers safeguard consumer health and ensure safety rules are followed by lowering the danger of foodborne illnesses through the maintenance of a cold chain.
Supporting Global Supply Chains
Reefer containers facilitate the international transportation of perishable goods, linking farmers to global markets. By allowing fresh commodities to be carried over great distances, reefer containers improve market options for farmers and food producers, while ensuring that customers have access to a wide selection of fresh products year-round, regardless of local growing seasons.
Specific Temperature for Perishables
The following information illustrates how each temperature for perishables can be different despite their seemingly similar characteristics.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Some of the perishables most sensitive to temperature include fruits and vegetables, which need particular circumstances to stay fresh. The best storage temperatures for tropical fruits, such as bananas, mangoes, and pineapples, are between 12°C and 14°C (53.6°F and 57.2°F).
These fruits may suffer chilling injuries from exposure to lower temperatures, which could result in poor ripening or discoloration. Non-tropical fruits, on the other hand, like apples and pears, need a colder temperature, usually 0°C to 4°C (32°F to 39.2°F).
The storage temperature of vegetables varies based on their variety. Because they are highly perishable, leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, and kale require a colder temperature range of 0°C to 2°C (32°F to 35.6°F).
A temperature range of 4°C to 8°C (39.2°F to 46.4°F) provides freshness without inducing spoiling for harder vegetables including potatoes, onions, and carrots.
Dairy Products
To keep their freshness, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt require constant low temperatures. To stop bacteria from growing and to preserve milk’s quality, we should always store them between 0°C and 4°C (32°F and 39.2°F).
Conversely, cheese tastes might differ based on the variety. Hard cheeses like gouda and cheddar are perfect for storage temperatures between 8°C and 12°C (46.4°F and 53.6°F), whereas soft cheeses like mozzarella and brie should remain between 4°C and 8°C (39.2°F and 46.4°F).
Finally, the recommended storage temperature range for yogurt and other cultured dairy products is 4°C to 6°C (39.2°F to 42.8°F).
Meat and Seafood
Because meat and seafood are particularly perishable, improper temperature control can cause them to spoil quickly. It is best to store fresh meat products, such as beef, pig, and lamb, between -1°C and 2°C (30.2°F and 35.6°F).
This is because keeping beef at this temperature inhibits the formation of bacteria, making the food safe for ingestion for an extended amount of time.
Fish, shrimp, and shellfish are seafood examples that need even cooler temperatures. Seafood’s temperature should stay between -2°C and 0°C (28.4°F and 32°F) inside the reefer container. This temperature is ideal for preserving the texture, flavor, and general quality of seafood.
In contrast, it is important to store frozen seafood at or below -18°C (0°F) to avoid freezer burn and guarantee its prolonged preservation.
Frozen Goods
Keep the temperature consistently low for perishables that are frozen, such as ice cream, frozen fruits, vegetables, and prepared meals. For frozen foods, -18°C to -20°C (0°F to -4°F) is the ideal storage range. Frozen goods are guaranteed to last a long time without going bad at this temperature since microbial development is stopped.
Temperature variations should be avoided when handling frozen goods since they may partially defrost, resulting in freezer burn and possibly lowering the product’s quality.
Flowers and Plants
It’s interesting to note that we can also transport flowers and plants in reefer containers apart from food items. Fresh-cut flowers such as roses, tulips, and lilies flourish in milder circumstances, often from 0°C to 2°C (32°F to 35.6°F). The flowers’ freshness, color, and scent can stay stable during shipment if we regulate their temperature inside the container properly.
Certain plants, on the other hand, need slightly warmer temperatures to avoid damage because they are more susceptible to the cold. For instance, the ideal temperature range for tropical plants and flowers, such as orchids, is 10°C to 13°C (50°F to 55.4°F).
Pharmaceuticals
Additionally, reefer containers are necessary for transporting pharmaceuticals that must remain at a precise temperature. For example, vaccines are quite susceptible to temperature changes. It is important to preserve them between 2°C and 8°C (35.6°F and 46.4°F).
This range also includes insulin and other medications. Product specifications may require storage below -20°C (-4°F) for items that need ultra-low temperatures, such as some vaccinations and biologics.
Conclusion
Once we know the best temperature for perishables, storing them in reefer containers can help them stay stable and consumable for longer. To do so, trust in Tradecorp’s finest reefer container solutions with the best refrigeration machines from Carrier and Thermo King that can freeze up to -40°F up to +104°F (-40°C up to +40°C) and more. Simply fill out our quote form, and get yourself the industry’s finest reefer container solutions!