What is Food Products Logistics?
Food products logistics; Since it directly affects human health, storage, transportation and delivery processes must comply with the determined standards. The raw material supply, production and delivery process of food products should be followed meticulously. Therefore, the company that carries out the production, storage and transportation should be chosen well. A mistake made in the process can lead to food safety and human health. Each food product has different storage conditions. For example; Delicatessen products are stored at 0-4°C, vegetables and fruits at 8-12°C, meat and fish products at 1°C, frozen products at -5° -18°C.
Food products logistics include returns and spoiled foods. In order to prevent such situations, lack of information should be prevented, Transport and storage conditions must be fully met. Factors such as correct planning, correct stock control, high logistics costs and shelf life are also important. Turkey is a country with a high income source from agriculture and animal husbandry. The products harvested from the field and the animal products obtained after slaughter enter the process of deterioration. The standards determined by food safety aim to protect the quality of foodstuffs.
What are the Standards Applied in Food Logistics?
Food products logistics is a sector that is frequently audited. In addition to the production of products under suitable conditions, these inspections ensure that they are stored under appropriate conditions during storage, transportation and delivery. ISO 22000: 2005 Food Safety Management System, which ensures the safety of food products; It brings some applications to food production, preservation, sales companies and suppliers. These applications are as follows:
Determines the equipment and vehicle standards to be used in the transportation of food products.
Lists the foods that can be transported and determines the highest temperature suitable for the transportation of foods.
Certificates issued by the countries that have accepted the agreement, It is valid in all countries that have accepted the agreement.
The standards of vehicles with heat control are certain.
Equipment that meets the standards must pass tests and be certified.
Another application applied for the logistics of food products; It is the Agreement on the International Transportation of Perishable Foodstuffs and the Use of Special Vehicles in their Carriage, which entered into force in 1976 and was also accepted by our country. Within the scope of the agreement:
Determination of portable foods,
Classification of vehicles used in transportation,
Marking applications for physical properties and insulation applications,
Transportation standards have been determined.
Importance of Cold Chain in Food Logistics
Food products logistics; It makes it necessary to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity values during packaging, storage and transportation of food products. To achieve this, appropriate equipment and tools are required. Cold chain; products, physical, It prevents changes in sensory and chemical contents that occur as a result of microorganism activities. This chain ensures that the conditions remain the same throughout the entire food displacement process. The features of the cold chain are as follows:
Processes such as cold storage and cold transportation, which ensure the preservation of standards in the process from the producer to the consumer, form a link in the chain. Animal foods, vegetables and fruits deteriorate when exposed to temperature changes. Deterioration is an economic loss. With the cold chain, this situation is prevented.
The cold chain transportation and distribution process should be done frequently.
What Should Be Considered in Food Logistics?
Food products logistics requires knowledge of the determined standards and expert personnel. When the necessary temperature and hygiene are provided, the transportation process is successful. The following items must also be complied with.
Food items should not be crushed and boxes should be transported with care.
Necessary temperature control should be carried out in vehicles.
The staff should consist of experts in their work.
Food products should be kept in cold storage.
Products should be identified one by one.
The temperature and humidity of the environment should be checked frequently along the way.
The transport environment should be hygienic.
Storage should be separated according to the type of products.
Animal food, vegetables and fruits must go through pre-cooling. Vehicles should also be pre-cooled before transportation.
Air circulation should be provided in the vehicles.
The products should be packaged so that there is no loss of liquid.
How Should Packaging be in Food Logistics?
Another issue for food logistics is packaging. Products placed in boxes and boxes should be wrapped with a transparent cover. Protective transparent tapes protect food products and extend their shelf life. These tapes are also called smart packaging. Thanks to these tapes, the products are protected from changing conditions inside and outside the packaging. Thus, bacterial activities do not occur. The serial transportation of the products and the presence of air curtains in the case prevent heat loss. In vehicle isolation, safes conforming to standards should be used. The vehicle bellows prevents heat loss during loading and unloading. Every vehicle should have a warning system.
Fenomens Logistics, works based on knowledge for food products logistics service. All our customers can follow the stock information, expiration dates, supply and delivery processes of the products. We carry out the process in an environment where information flow is constantly provided and in cooperation.