During delivery, many hands come in contact with test results, fresh fruits, vegetables, medicines, dairy products, and other perishable items. If during the lifecycle these goods were allowed to spoil or be contaminated who would want millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars’ worth of worthless products? Safe handling of time- and temperature-controlled deliveries is a complicated specialty requiring an expert understanding of policies and procedures to deliver sensitive cargo on time and correctly.
Packaging
One of the first and best lines of defense for time- and temperature-controlled deliveries is the packaging. While the packaging does not guarantee the cargo will arrive in perfect shape 100% of the time, it is the most scientific foundation of deliveries. Many companies do not see the point of making an investment in customized product packaging. However, generic packaging uses less costly materials, leaves space for products to shift during transit, and is typically untraceable if problems arise. Properly engineered packaging ensures the most effective delivery environment possible. Custom packaging specifications can include but are not limited to:
- Exact Dimensions
- Reusable
- Temperature-controlled
- Most Appropriate Materials
- Traceable Labels
Of course, once the shipment is sent out for delivery outside forces will come into play. Even the best packaging can be damaged during transit but properly engineered product packaging can absorb many outside conditions along the way, potentially saving time and money.
Cold Chain Refrigeration
The standard method of refrigeration used by couriers is uninterrupted and ranges from 20 degrees Celsius to as low as negative 150 degrees Celsius. The FDA requires certain food and medical items to be stored at specific temperatures. FDA auditors will then inspect distribution centers, trucks, and warehouses to make sure those standards are being met. Therapeutics and pharmaceuticals often must not be allowed to freeze so maintaining an appropriate constant temperature are imperative while in transit. There are also other factors to consider like:
- Humidity
- Radioactivity
- Light Sensitivity
- Vibrations and Shocks
Various medical drugs and compounds contain complex chemical half-lives that can be altered by their environments. Exposure to even the most common elements can have devastating consequences. Couriers must control for these variables during transit or risk contaminating the cargo.
Costly Delays
When dealing with perishable cargo, couriers must pay close attention to expedient shipping procedures. Delays can be costly to the shelf lives of cargo like meat, fruit, vegetables, and other fresh items. The path to delivery is filled with snags like physical obstructions, dock delays, missing paperwork, late flights, and unexpected human interactions. There is no shortage of possible problems out of the courier’s control. Proactively moving through the supply chain and anticipating potential issues can minimize risks saving precious days, hours, and even minutes.
Your Time- and Temperature-Controlled Delivery Partner
Quality medical and grocery courier services are one of the many things Milano Courier is known for. We understand how important timely deliveries are and our OSHA and HIPAA certified drivers proactively get to their destinations without cutting corners. Your cargo will be treated carefully and your brand will be represented professionally when you partner with us for all of your time-sensitive delivery needs. Call our office today to see how we can keep your logistics running smoothly!