The food industry relies on the supply chain to transport perishable products to consumers' homes safely and promptly. According to the United Nations, 14 percent of food waste occurs during supply chain activities. Understanding the food supply chain aims to reveal the requirements shippers must meet to ensure food products remain safe and compliant, thus protecting the brand's reputation.
Organizations entering the food logistics space must navigate new certification requirements, such as AIB International (Association of International Bakers) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) registration, and the US Department of Agriculture (if storing meats). Other popular food certifications include Safe Quality Food (SQF) and ASI (ASI Food Safety). These entities help maintain the quality of warehoused and transported food through regulations addressing pest control, exposure to sunlight, and the use of electric handling equipment. Other agencies' requirements depend on location and state law - extensive research is necessary to identify the entities responsible for food quality controls.
During the transportation of food cargo, it is crucial to perform intensive inspections to ensure the vessel is sealed properly, free of water leakage, dirt, and unpleasant odors. Managing temperature and humidity is also essential, as food cargo is highly susceptible to spoilage.
Unpleasant situations such as contamination or recall processes can arise, but best practices can help organizations prepare. Having a recall plan or contamination control process in place can make detection more manageable and reduce the chance of an order being rejected when a safety measure should have prevented it. Creating and maintaining standard operating procedures can save time and resources if any issues arise.
