Perishable goods are the products that tend to spoil quickly because of their physical composition and characteristics and therefore have a relatively shorter shelf life.They deteriorate by losing their original properties when they are exposed to certain external factors like temperature, light, humidity and atmospheric pressure during their transport, storage and commercialisation.Perishable goods include many foods like dairy products,fruits, vegetables, fish and shellfish, all types of meat and also flowers, plants, medical and pharmaceutical products and some chemical materials.
Since the perishable goods are susceptible to spoil, managing these goods efficiently is a major challenge especially when it comes to perishable goods warehousing.Failing to store ,transport or handle these perishable products properly will cause impaired quality or complete decomposition, making them unsuitable for sale and consumption.The perishable goods storage should be done keeping in mind the nature of the perishable goods.Therefore, the storage of perishable goods should be in line with the attributes of the products to make sure they make it in to the consumer end in edible state.
Below are listed some of the factors to consider for perishable goods storage warehousing
Temperature control is a deciding factor in the storage of temperature sensitive and perishable goods.The perishable goods require a specific temperature and humidity ranges to prevent them from going bad and to keep their original characteristics unchanged.The micro organisms start to proliferate if the particular temperature and humidity is not maintained which eventually leads to decomposition of the perishable goods.This is when temperature controlled warehousing comes to play.
A temperature controlled warehouse is a storage facility which is designed specifically for storage of goods which require to be stored at a specific and consistent temperature to prevent them from getting decayed.Proper measures should be taken to monitor the temperature regularly so that the certain required temperature is always maintained.Cold storage warehouses are temperature controlled facilities that are outlined to maintain a certain temperature conditions to store perishable and temperature sensitive goods and thereby ensuring their quality and prolonging their shelf life.The temperature controlled warehouses have automated systems which can alert the warehouse teams in case of any deviations that may occur.Temperature controlled warehouses are specially designed with storage space, handling equipment, cleanrooms and systems like pallet conveyor systems.They are equipped with high end refrigeration equipments that abstain from breaking the cold chain and thereby preserving the quality of the perishable goods.
Climate controlled warehousing is a game changer when it comes to storage of perishable goods as they are particularly equipped with environment control systems which can maintain consistent and precise temperature and humidity in order to maintain the quality and characteristics unaltered of the perishable goods.
When it comes to maintaining the quality of perishable goods which mostly are edible products, spotlessly clean warehouses are very crucial.A regular cleaning schedule should be maintained with high standards of sanitation.The storage space should be clean and hygienic to inhibit the growth of microorganisms which eventually multiply to decay the perishable goods.Sanitation procedures are crucial in all the areas from storage racks, floors, walls to operators handling the goods and handling equipments used. Perishable goods warehousing should be well kept with clear waste management procedures, with absence of dust and debris, and no signs of pests.Perishable goods warehousing must adhere to safety standards in order to avert accidents and maintain product integrity.They must have efficient fire safety measures,backup power systems for emergency and video surveillance.
Conserving the quality and safety of the perishable products throughout the supply chain is crucial for perishable goods warehousing. It is important that the perishable products spend minimal time in unfavourable environmental conditions during loading, transportation, unloading, storage and shipping process.For these processes the warehouse must have efficient machines and well qualified staff.Temperature controlled vehicles maintain the cold chain during their transportation, so that the perishable products are still maintained at the specific temperature.Transport and warehouse staff must work in close coordination so as to move the products directly into the transportation vehicle so that the cool chain is not broken.
An efficient management of stocks is essential for the correct rotation of perishable products.The items with the shortest expiry dates should be shipped first.Effective inventory management is important to prevent spoilage and ensure a proper supply chain is maintained.FIFO(first in, first out) and FEFO(first expired, first out) are the most efficient ways to ensure stock rotation in perishable goods warehouse’s industrial racking system.FIFO method ensures the products which enter the inventory of the storage system first, will be the first ones to be unloaded and shipped.FEFO method ensures the products with the closest expiry dates are sold first or used first.A coherent inventory system is relevant for perishable goods supply chain so that the unsold inventory left after the expiry dates have elapsed are discarded.
Conclusion
Handling and storing perishable goods according to their specific temperature, and maintaining the cold chain throughout the supply chain ensures safeguarding the quality and safety of the goods.At Logistica, a coherent storage system is followed to ensure the safety and management of perishable goods.Therefore, from inventory management to storage and hygiene, each and every step plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the perishable goods.
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