Whether you’re at a local restaurant, a holiday party, or spending a Friday night on the town, you, or someone you know is having a drink. And no, we’re not talking about a glass of water or soda. We’re talking about alcohol, including beer, wine, spirits, liquors, and liqueurs. What does it take to get alcohol from manufacturing plants to stores and restaurants for consumers?  In order to ship alcohol safely, there are many rules and regulations to follow.   

Do We Even Drink That Much? 

In the United States alone, people who are 21 years and older consumed 7.8 billion gallons of alcohol in 2018, according to a report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Breaking this down, means 6.3 billion gallons of beer, 900 million gallons of wine, and 570 million gallons of spirits consumed. So, shipping alcohol is a continued need and one that is only going to grow. Since the pandemic hit in 2020, the volume of consumed alcohol increased at least two percent year-over-year.  

The Production 

In the United States alone, the alcohol beverage industry handles more than 4 million jobs and generates almost $70 billion in revenue. This number is only going to grow but beers, wine, and spirits are all different for the consumer.  

Beer 

This sector has been dominated by big brand names ever since the beginning. Big brands like Bud Light, Coors Light, Budweiser, and Corona all make life hard for those small-town local breweries. 

While 2021 was a record year for small-town businesses with 710 openings and only 176 of their doors closing across all 50 states, they still face a tall hill to climb. In this situation, it’s David versus Goliath. Big beer companies have the brand reputation, the capital, the marketing, and all the business. Therefore, small breweries must compete not only with them but with other small local breweries to make it in the industry. 

However, with everything against them, many consumers prefer a unique-tasting beer compared to the very recognizable Bud Light can.  

While small breweries open their doors to everyone, their target audience for their beer is individuals in their twenties, thirties, and early forties. These individuals (especially Millennials) are more likely to try new drinks and prefer ones that have different flavor profiles such as sweet, salty, sour, hoppy, spicy, and more. This shows because, in 2021, the volume growth in small breweries grew by 7.9 percent and produced 24.5 million barrels of beer.  

Wine 

The wine market is as competitive as the beer field, where big brand names are a household stable with new vineyards and wineries opening across the United States.  

Some of the biggest names in this sector are Franzia, Barefoot Cellars, Twin Valley, and more. The wine sector is expected to see significant growth. In 2021, the market was worth $417.85 billion and is expected to grow 6.4 percent year over year. So, while one may face the challenge of competing with big brand names, if a quality product is produced, there is great potential. 

Spirits 

The spirits industry also referred to as hard liquor, is a sector that made $135.78 billion in 2021. This sector has a lot more variety, including spirits such as vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey, gin, and more. Within each of these categories, they all have well-known competitors, meaning each one presents unique and complex challenges for those within the sector.  

But, How Does Shipping Alcohol Work? 

Whether you make beer or spirits or are a big brand name or a small business, one thing is for sure, you NEED to ship your product out to the consumers. But what does it take to ship alcohol? 

When shipping alcohol you must have certain permits and meet regulations to ship it safely and most importantly, legally in the United States.  

What Are the Regulations for Shipping Alcohol? 

Here is where things get tricky. When shipping alcohol, you must follow certain rules, but the United States does not have one set of rules for transporting alcohol. This means that all 50 states in the U.S. have different rules and regulations to follow. For example, in Delaware, carriers must abide by the Delaware Office of Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner rules but carriers traveling through New Mexico must follow the Alcoholic Beverage Control.  

Before arranging your shipment of alcohol, you must be aware of each state’s regulations for the transportation of it. Find out what you need to know about a certain state’s requirements by clicking on the link below: 

Making Shipping Alcohol Easy with a 3PL 

No matter if your company is big or small, selling beer or wine, everyone must follow these rules when shipping alcohol. However, ensuring the carrier has the proper permits can be a pain-stacking task. By using a 3PL, like Trinity Logistics, you’ll gain access to a network of strong carrier relationships and Team Member experts with experience in the regulations for shipping alcohol. 

Working with a 3PL means you’ll have someone on your side to help all the backend logistics work so you can focus on making and selling the best product. Plus, we offer a variety of shipping solutions for you, from less-than-truckload shipments to temperature-controlled intermodal, we have the shipping solution you need. 

Trinity Logistics, a Burris Logistics company, is proud to share that Food Logistics has named the company as a recipient of the 2022 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers Award.

Food Logistics is the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of products and information through the cold food and beverage supply chain. The Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list recognizes leading third-party logistics and cold storage providers in the food and beverage industry. Companies on the list play a pivotal role in keeping the food and beverage industry’s products stored, transported, and stocked while maintaining the product’s quality. 

“These past 18 months have been so challenging for U.S. supply chains. It’s the continuous bottlenecks that require fleets to re-tool and pivot accordingly. But it’s the drivers, the fleet, the warehouses, and software/technologies that really keep today’s supply chains in line,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive.  “These 3PLs and cold storage providers have collaborated on all facets of their operations to achieve full visibility, complete forecasting, end-to-end leverage, and the ultimate in sustainability. Now is the time to honor and celebrate those companies making magic happen behind the frontlines.”

Trinity works with thousands of shippers in the food and beverage industry, making the company well-versed in its requirements and regulations. Equipped with state of industry technology and with Burris Logistics, one of the top cold storage providers in North America, as its parent company, Trinity provides exceptional service to those in the cold chain.  

“We are honored to be named a Top 3PL & Cold Storage Provider, and very fortunate to be part of the Burris Logistics family,” said Mark Peterson, SVP of Sales at Trinity Logistics. “Having a parent company with 90+ years of cold storage & food distribution experience gives us a distinct advantage. From the 3PL viewpoint, our focus is on optimizing the efficiency of our distribution network. The pillars of that effort are gathering and analyzing the right data; clear and consistent communication with our partners; and the highly educated and motivated team of professionals at Trinity Logistics.” 

The full list of 2022’s Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers will appear in Food Logistics’ August issues, as well as online at www.FoodLogistics.com. 

About Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve. 

For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions.

We are currently recognized on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Freight Brokerage List, a Top 3PL and Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics, and a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation by Women in Trucking.

It’s produce season. That time of the year when produce shipments are at their peak and so are produce shipment rejections. According to DAT, up to 12 percent of shipments are rejected or delayed. Produce shipments are most often rejected because of the complexities of fresh food logistics. Because of their perishability, they are more likely to experience damage in transit due to improper handling, temperature variances, or delays. 

A produce shipment rejection can cause lost time, added fuel and shipping costs, wasted product, and sometimes even a strained relationship with your customer. In addition, these rejections can cause a domino effect of added issues, costs, paperwork, and make everyone’s day longer than it needs to be. Yet, with attention to detail, planning, and effective communication, you can prevent produce shipment rejections and manage your costs. Here’s some advice on preventing shipment refusal during produce season.

REASONS TO REJECT PRODUCE

With fresh produce being on average, 90 percent water, it’s a volatile product to ship. It can develop issues at any stage, during growth, harvest, storage, packing, or shipping. This makes the logistics of shipping produce that much more complicated. As a result, there can be many more reasons for produce shipment rejections to happen. So, what are some reasons for a produce shipment rejection?

Paperwork Errors/Wrong Product

The Bill of Lading (BOL) must match the shipment delivered. When the receiver checks the BOL to verify the purchase order (PO) number, skid, case count, and weight of the freight delivered, and it doesn’t line up, then the shipment may be rejected. This could happen for several reasons. For example, the product could be what they asked for but the wrong amount, or the product could be completely different. However, any discrepancy between what they ordered and what arrived will mean a rejected shipment.

*Important to note: A produce shipment should not be rejected if there is less than 50 percent of the product short or damaged.*

Pallet Configuration

Some customers require that the product arrives according to their specific guidelines for packaging. If their requested guidelines are not followed, or anything shifted, fell, or ripped while in transit, then they may refuse the shipment.

Improper Temperature Range

Maintaining integrity and freshness is serious when it comes to a perishable product like produce. If your produce shipment falls out of its needed temperature range, even by one degree, the receiver may reject your shipment. Unlike other types of freight, the chance for spoilage with produce is too high, so a receiver won’t often take on the liability with any temperature variances.

Delivered Late

Often, retail and grocery distributing centers operate on tight schedules, so a delay could impact their other appointments. Unfortunately, this means they rarely make exceptions when it comes to late shipments and your produce will be rejected.

Equipment Issues

The trailer could have been unable to keep the temperature in the range needed for your produce shipment or perhaps the trailer was not washed thoroughly before loading. Maybe the carrier showed up with a van and you needed a refrigerated trailer. There are several issues in which the trailer your shipment is delivered in can have the receiver refusing your product.

Reasonable Time to Reject

One important thing to know about produce shipment rejections is that there is a reasonable time for the receiver to reject the shipment. When shipping by truck, the receiver must not exceed eight hours to inspect and reject. When shipping by rail, the receiver must not exceed 24 hours to inspect and reject.

AS A SHIPPER, WHAT TO DO WHEN PRODUCE IS REFUSED

Many issues associated with rejected produce shipments can often be resolved quickly with extra communication and planning.

You’ll first need to figure out why the receiver rejected your produce shipment, so start with asking your receiver that. Ask for pictures showing any damage and a copy of the BOL. Next, ask for the report by the USDA inspector or another qualified individual, as it’s required for the receiver to have the shipment inspected, note any issues, and detail what the cause of damage was. Additionally, ask your carrier for a reefer unit download or a temperature recorder download so you can see if there were any temperature fluctuations during transit.

If you’re considering filing a cargo claim, you must know that cargo claims for produce will only be paid for proven physical damage.

Now, if a produce shipment is rejected and not unloaded, there are a couple of options for you to try to recoup the loss. You can reroute the shipment to a different facility that will accept it, donate the shipment, or have the carrier dispose of it. Regardless of which option you choose, you are responsible for handling where the shipment will go next.

What are any secondary markets the produce can go to if messed up? What’s the disposition? You’ll be the best resource for the area’s market. Be familiar with your shipping lanes and the secondary markets within your location to best salvage the produce if refused.

Secondary Facility

As long as your produce is still safe for consumption and solely rejected for the way it looks, you might be able to sell the shipment to a secondary facility. For example, a sauce maker or a french fry company might be willing to buy a shipment of tomatoes or potatoes that are still edible but visually unappealing.

Donation

It can be possible to reuse a rejected produce shipment through local donation, though there are still high standards for products if donated. Any food and beverage products donated must be safe enough to consume. Donations can be optimal as your produce can still be used, and you can receive tax credits for your donation.

Disposal

If your produce shipment is rejected due to a temperature violation or clear spoilage during transit, disposal may be your solution. When your produce is determined to be unsalvageable, it may be best to dispose of it. Although the other two options are better for the environment and your bottom line, it’s sometimes a necessary evil to dispose of the product. While recycling and reusing are ideal, they may not be workable due to compliance and safety standards. One of the benefits of disposal is that scheduling disposals are often quicker than scheduling to another facility.

Maintaining a Good Customer Relationship

Shipment rejections can stress even the best relationships. It’s best to keep in mind that you are in it for the long haul and produce shipment rejections that can happen even to the best of shippers due to its complexity.

It’s best to acknowledge the rejection, replace the product as soon as possible, and find the source of the issue to help reduce the chance of another produce rejection happening anytime soon. Take ownership of the problem and control of your shipment so you can manage your money from the salvage. Taking control over the disposition will help you maximize your return, reduce claimed damages, and reduce your risk of customer relationship loss.

While these are all great solutions for handling produce shipment rejections, it’s ideal to prevent them in the first place. For companies looking to focus on their bottom line, it’s important to know all necessary prevention measures for produce shipment rejections and plan for when they do happen.

PRODUCE SHIPMENT REJECTION PREVENTION

Paperwork and Communication

The first step to preventing produce shipment rejections is to have your paperwork and communication in order. Your agreement must be clear on the condition of the produce your buyer will receive. Being able to present your buyer with evidence that your produce is safe and of the quality you stated it’s in before transit will prevent most cases of rejection.

Communication with your buyer and your logistics team on how your produce is being handled before loading, during loading, and during transit must be done effectively and properly. This is especially crucial because of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Be sure to provide photos, diagrams, or any other examples of proper pallet configuration to your warehouse and trucking partners. This kind of communication will help them pack and load your freight correctly from the start.

Carrier Selection

Produce shipments, especially during produce season, often pay a lot. This means you’ll have a lot of carriers bidding to haul for you. Therefore, quality carrier selection and additional insurance requirements, like reefer breakdown, are crucial aspects to prevent rejected produce shipments.

Make sure you confirm with your motor carrier that they are both authorized and experienced to haul your produce.

Additionally, make sure they understand all your shipments requirements, including FSMA. For example, do they need washout receipts? Do they have a good quality truck, updated trailer, or a quality reefer? Do they have or need temperature-monitoring devices or other technology to ensure the temperature is controlled and the cold chain uninterrupted? Can they pull a reefer download if required?

By finding a quality carrier and building a strong relationship with them, you’ll gain a dependable carrier to use regularly. This can help you reduce any transportation-related issues that could later result in a shipment rejection.

Loading

Don’t Overstack

When it comes to produce season, the number one cause of claims that we see comes from over-stacking your boxes or bins of produce when loading them onto the trailer. An example of this would be triple or quadruple stacking your boxes when they need to be double-stacked. While this depends on each shipping location, not all may be aware that each box has a maximum capacity it can withstand and not damage your produce. You need to know the weight-bearing amount of your boxes so you can place no more than that. When you over-stack, it’s will increase the risk of your produce getting squished and damaged. Certain produce can be very fragile, like berries, tomatoes, asparagus, or bananas. They tend to bruise easily, so single-stacking boxes are even more ideal for them.

No Hot Loads

Industry experts say that as much as 32 percent of all cargo is loaded at the wrong temperature.

This is often due to poor loading practices, like loading from a hot field. When it comes to produce, loading from a hot field is a HUGE NO. This causes the driver to start traveling with your produce at the wrong temperature, which puts compliance and financial pressure on carriers, as the load is at a high risk of spoiling. Your produce should be safely brought down to its required transit temperature before loading to prevent any spoilage.

Have the Proper Equipment

While this may seem silly, it still needs to be said: If a motor carrier shows up with a dry van and your produce requires a refrigerated trailer, DO NOT LOAD. While losing some time or causing a bit of a delay is not ideal, it’s better to have the proper trailer needed to keep your risk of shipment rejection from spoilage or damage low. Additionally, make sure your carrier’s refrigerated temperature monitoring system has the proper temperature, date, and time set. If there is a rejection due to temperature variance and the date and time are wrong, you’ll take the blame due to current regulations.

When it comes to your motor carrier and loading, it’s also ideal to allow them to inspect and pulp your product before loading. They have the right to do so, and the opportunity can give your carrier the confidence to haul your product safely. It also helps build a strong and loyal relationship, while helping you gain more insight that your product is okay before it’s in transit.

Keep Clean of Debris

Another way to help prevent produce rejections is to have a shipping platform that can be cleaned without leaving any splinters or debris in vehicles. Food-grade plastic pallets are ideal for solving many hygiene issues while helping reduce product damage during transport. Unlike wooden pallets, they don’t splinter or leave behind debris, and their nonabsorbent surface can be easily cleaned and dried.

Transit and Delivery

As mentioned during loading, make sure you have a way to track temperatures throughout the shipment and be able to receive notifications in real time. By getting early warning signs of issues, temperature variations can be quickly detected and dealt with right away instead of learning about them later at delivery.

Additionally, make sure you have a qualified inspector on-site at delivery. This will help should the receiver decide to reject your produce shipment to determine if your product is salvageable for you to recoup costs.

Before transit, it’s best that you set up the potential for rework facilities to accept your produce should the receiver refuse it. Talk to nearby receiving facilities to establish accounts, processes, and pricing ahead of time. This way, if there has been some visual damage or slight shifting, it can quickly reroute to the other location and be reworked, being proactive rather than reactive. This is especially important when it comes to produce since time is of the essence.

HAVING HELP

Produce shipment rejections can be complex and confusing at times. This is where working with a third-party logistics company (3PL), like Trinity, can come in handy. We have Teams to help you with the prevention of rejections as well as when one does happen.

Carrier Compliance

Our Carrier Compliance Team is here to vet our carrier network and make sure they have what you need to get your shipment delivered safely. Not only do we have a rigorous vetting process, but depending on your shipment requirements, we’ll make checks for extra insurance needs like reefer breakdown and make sure they are FSMA compliant. 

Claims

No matter how prepared one can be, unexpected things can still happen. Shipments may get refused and so that’s why we have a Claims Team here ready to assist you. It can be a real lifesaver to have a Team of certified professionals to help take the stress out of the claims process. Should it be needed, our Claims Team will help you start the process, be there to track progress, and assist until a resolution is met between all involved parties.

DON’T GO THROUGH PRODUCE SEASON ALONE

With proper prevention, compliance, and planning, produce shipment rejections can become less of a thorn in your side during produce season. Even still, they can and will happen at times. Make sure you’re ready and have the support you need by working with an experienced provider such as Trinity.

You’ll have the advantage of working with and trusting our risk departments, who work hard to help mitigate any risk to your shipments. In addition, you can trust that each of our carrier relationships is properly vetted for things like reefer breakdown coverage. Should you need it, you’ll have a whole Claims Team ready to help you sort through any unexpected shipment issues.

Gain the support you need to navigate the complexity of produce season with less stress.

How does the cold chain process differ from your typical supply chain? The cold chain is a variation of your standard supply chain. It involves the movement of refrigerated or frozen products from temperatures of two degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit) all the way down to negative 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). The cold chain involves industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

WHAT IS THE COLD CHAIN PROCESS?

The cold chain process is a logistics management process for perishable products that need refrigerated temperatures to maintain quality and safety from end to end. It involves performing a chain of tasks to prepare, store, and transport products in the cold supply chain. 

Logistical planning and management protect the integrity of cold chain shipments. This involves using proper packaging, proper transportation equipment, carefully chosen transportation routes, perfect timing, and visibility throughout to ensure that what’s expected is what happens. The cold chain process is best done by using technology and data at every point of the process.

WHY IS THE COLD CHAIN IMPORTANT?

The cold chain ensures perishable products are safe, of high quality, or potency at the point of consumption or use. Failure to keep those products at correct temperatures results in degradation, discoloring, bruising, or microbial growth. When you have quality cold chain products, you’ll have satisfied customers, meaning greater demand, and the protection of public health. 

Additionally, cold chain providers contribute a great deal to the economy and workforce. According to GCCA, approximately $6.1 billion is generated by the refrigerated warehousing industry annually. Not to mention, the North American refrigerated warehousing industry employs more than 62,774 people annually on a full-time basis, with 92 percent being permanent employees versus contract or temporary.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN ELEMENTS IN THE COLD CHAIN?

Storage

The cold chain starts with the storage of the product at a refrigerated facility. If manufacturers of cold chain products don’t have storage equipment needed to keep their products regulated, they’ll have to outsource their cold chain operations to a partner who can provide the proper equipment. 

Common cold storage equipment and facilities include refrigerated containers, cold rooms, chillers, cold boxes, blast freezers, and vaccine carriers.

Packaging

Temperature-controlled products need correct packaging to maintain their quality. Proper packaging helps reduce the risk of product contamination and ensures energy-efficient storage along the cold chain. 

The most common refrigerants used in packaging are dry ice, gel packs, gel bricks, phase change material (PCM), and EPS panels (expanded polystyrene or Styrofoam).

Monitoring

Tracking certain information for specific cold chain products is a necessity. This includes temperatures and other environmental parameters, like humidity levels. Without monitoring, suboptimal conditions can happen and damage the quality of the product. 

Cold chain monitoring often refers to the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) or other sensor software. These monitoring systems can detect temperature problems, keep track of all cold chain products on one platform, and improve predictive maintenance through the integration of sensor data with supply chain management software, like a transportation management system (TMS). 

Delivery

Cold chain management also involves the delivery of shipments. Delivery is based upon the end-user consumers’ preferred methods for receiving cold deliveries. 

WHY IS AN EFFICIENT COLD CHAIN PROCESS IMPORTANT?

Unlike shipping non-perishable products such as furniture, interruptions in the cold chain can result in damage to the quality of the product, making it unusable. An efficient cold chain process uses monitoring and reduces the amount of handling from end to end. 

The cold chain industry has standardized temperature zones classified to maintain the quality of products. These classifications are: 

Banana

Bananas and other tropical fruits like oranges, pineapples, or even potatoes have a temperature range of 12 degrees to 14 degrees Celsius (53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit). This helps control ripening during transport. 

Pharmaceutical

Most pharmaceutical products need temperatures between two and eight degrees Celsius (35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit).

Chill

This classification is between two and four degrees Celsius (35 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit) for many other fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat.

Frozen

This temperature range is between minus 10 to minus 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit) for frozen meat, cakes, and bread.

Deep Frozen

Seafood, ice cream, and other frozen foods need colder temperatures at minus 25 to minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 77 to minus 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

Ultra-Low

This is a new and growing temperature range often for pharmaceutical products that need temperatures reaching minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 158 degrees Fahrenheit), like certain vaccines. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide for temperature suggestions.

WHAT ARE SOME INDUSTRIES THAT USE COLD CHAIN?

Food and Beverage

Controlled temperatures are needed for transporting food and beverage products such as milk, produce, or meat. Interruptions in the cold chain can lead to spoilage or bacteria or mold growth. As mentioned above, many fruits like bananas ripen during their shipment.

Pharmaceutical

Many pharmaceutical products need temperature control. This includes products like vaccines, medication, or biologicals, like blood or plasma. Spoilage of these products can mean a loss in efficacy and can become a public health hazard if not caught.

Chemical

Temperature control is critical when it comes to some hazardous chemicals. Specifically, ones that can be susceptible to reactions due to heat release. If heat escapes from a chemical good that requires it to remain at a certain temperature, it can cause a spark, flame, or explosion to occur, not only damaging the product but potentially harming others.

Oil and Gas

This sector uses explosion-proof refrigerated containers on oil rigs, oil tankers, and offshore locations.

Military

The U.S. military must control the temperature of its medical supplies, which often travel long, hard-to-reach areas. Because of this, the cold chain process can become more complicated when handling products for the military.

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED PROVIDER

Not all temperature-controlled products are the same. Each product is unique and requires specialized solutions throughout the cold chain. Many cold chain manufacturers are turning to third-party logistics companies (3PLs) to handle their complex challenges in the cold chain process. For your cold chain to be successful, you need to be sure to work with a provider who understands your industry, regulations, and product requirements.

Luckily, you don’t have to look very far to find one. Here at Trinity, we have more than 40 years of experience in specialized industries such as cold chain. 

Contact us today to find your customized logistics solution for your cold chain process.

Author: Christine Morris

If you haven’t already noticed, cold chain logistics is currently a hot topic. The demand for fresh products and quality supply chain processes are at an all-time high. Recognizing these trends in cold chain and taking action will help you fulfill your customer’s needs. Let’s look at five trends going on in the cold chain industry.

1. An Increased Demand on Quality Products

Big trends in cold chain, specifically the food industry, has been the demand for fresher and higher-quality products. Consumers want their peaches to be juicier and their avocados to be riper. To satisfy the customers’ wants, you need to make sure the carrier that is shipping your product is well versed in cold chain management. They need to know how to avoid changes in the texture and taste of the produce when a shipment fluctuates beyond the required temperature. The focus on quality products means that refrigerated warehouses will need to maintain temperature zones.

Quality products don’t stop at fresh food. With the COVID-19 vaccine being administered, people want to make sure that what they’re getting injected into their bodies is safe. In addition, the amount of biological drugs and gene therapies is growing. Because of this, logistics companies are also widening their capacity for temperature-controlled transportation to meet the demand.

As we’ve stated in our Shipping Pharmaceuticals blog, cold chain logistics play significant role in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Manufacturers of these vaccines and medications need the cold chain to run smoothly to prevent any damage to the expensive drugs. Pharmaceuticals also need to arrive as good as new because medicine that has sat in incorrect temperatures for an extended period can be ineffective or detrimental to a patient’s health.

2. The Global Cold Chain Market is Booming

A recent report by Grand View Research shows that the global cold chain market size is expected to grow 14.8 percent from 2021 to 2028. Many nations have recognized a rising need to avoid food waste and loss of healthcare products due to spoilage. Moreover, the demand for fresher products is on the rise. Nations such as China and India are boosting their global cold chain efforts to meet the demand for their exports. International trade liberalization has also boosted the use of cold chain, globally. Because it is the global cold chain is rising, manufacturers need to become more specialized in their products so they can ship their goods to a wider variety of customers across the globe.

3. Stronger Regulations

Another trend in the cold chain has been stricter regulations on shipped products. Both globalization and the recent rise of food and pharma counterfeit incidences have caused production and cold chain rules to be reevaluated. The beginning of these rules started with the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act. This act requires anyone in the food supply chain to document every step of the process. Certain products like fruit must be traced all the way back to the point of origin.

Being proactive with these firm rules and regulations has also been a common trend across cold chain logistics. Manufacturers are strengthening their processes in-house to help mitigate any issues with their cold chain. Safety should be a top priority for the manufacturer when shipping through cold chain.

4. Innovative Packaging

Specialized packaging has been a trending topic in the cold chain industry. Whether it be for pharmaceuticals or food and beverages, manufacturers have been more specific on how they want their products packaged.

For pharmaceutical companies, there has been a conflict between packaging and transportation costs. For smaller shipments moving through the supply chain, a company can choose either a 24, 48, or 72-hour packaging that will protect the products from becoming ineffective. The more insulated the packaging is, the higher the cost. Globalization is also a major factor in this dilemma. If the U.S. ships cold chain products like pharmaceuticals overseas, it is imperative that the carrier knows to re-ice the shipment if any delays occur.

Companies that specialize in temperature-controlled packaging are making single-use or reusable packaging for all your cold chain needs. There are new refrigerated shipping systems that don’t require gel coolants, and they weigh much less than typical cold chain packages. These systems use evaporative, reactive cooling technology that responds and adjusts to fluctuating temperatures.

Whether it be significant innovations such as evaporative cooling technology or something as simple as adding handles and straps to your packaging, traditional packaging is starting to become a thing of the past. Companies are trying to gain that competitive advantage of being the most innovative packaging company for your cold chain needs.

5. Outsourcing to a Third-Party Logistics Company

Another demand in the cold chain has been for efficiency and visibility throughout the supply chain. Companies don’t like to be left in the dark when it comes to the transportation of their products. That is why a 3PL provides a wide range of technology services to promote transparency within the supply chain.

Consumers today are becoming more conscientious about their needs. No one wants to settle for spoiled milk or ineffective pharmaceuticals. It is imperative that manufacturers stay up to date on these current trends in the cold chain in order to satisfy their customers. Doing research and staying in the know are both imperative ways for your business to be successful. Being proactive and listening to what customers want is the best way to stay on top in the cold chain industry.

Interested in learning more about Trinity’s experience in cold chain?

Whether those buying your product are meat-eaters or vegetarians, gluten-free, or dairy-free or they’ll try anything under the sun – we all have to eat. All food must make its way from farms and factories to the dinner table. We all know that this multi-step process is particular and sensitive. Shipping frozen and refrigerated food together can be a recipe for disaster if not done right. The technicalities involved in packaging, warehousing, and transporting these goods are specific and time–sensitive. Let’s look at the logistics of frozen and refrigerated shipping and see how your product ends up safely on dinner tables. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide for temperature suggestions?

Refrigerated/Frozen Food Shipping: LTL vs. Truckload

The process of shipping food differs between truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. Let’s look at how these two modes differ when it comes to shipping your frozen food. 

LTL

When you work with a refrigerated LTL carrier, you likely know that they have specific days that they pick up, depending on the region. Other temperature-controlled products traveling within that region in the same temperature range will be on that truck. 

The LTL carrier will pick up all these shipments within a specific window and deliver them the following week. Depending on the size of your business and the frequency of shipments, you may find it challenging to keep track of the various pick-up and delivery windows for specific carriers. Visibility of your shipment is imperative to ensure your product arrives safely to the store and in peak condition.  

Truckload

Large shipments of dairy, frozen meats, boxes of bananas, lettuce and watermelons, cans of soup, ketchup, you name it, can be shipped via truckload from distributors to grocery stores. Truckloads full of items leaving one location and heading to the same destination with the exact temperature requirements can be shipped together. However, if this isn’t the case for your product, remember to note this on your instructions for the carrier moving your freight. 

Since these trucks typically have one origin, one destination, and one driver, there aren’t necessarily specific days of the week that these are picked up. However, receivers may have specific days for delivery. Ensure your product arrives in peak condition by coordinating the pick-up and delivery times appropriately so food does not spoil. 

Grocery Delivery Services

The typical grocery store shipments are pretty cut and dry with how goods arrive at the loading docks. The waters get muddied up when it comes to services designed to help busy people get groceries without ever stepping foot into a store. 

Consumers can buy everything else online, so why not food? Grocery delivery services like Peapod, Walmart Grocery Delivery, Instacart, Freshdirect, and Amazon Fresh have turned e-commerce into a giant food pantry for busy people. In a five-minute website visit, people can add their groceries to a virtual cart and have the goods arrive on their front step the following day. 

While grocery deliveries are incredibly convenient and competitive price–wise for the average consumer, it’s a rather complicated process with a small profit margin for shippers. 

These last-mile grocery shipments are so tricky because of the precise instructions and temperatures for the items within a single shipment. Companies have a window of around 20 hours to get groceries from the warehouse to a customer’s fridge. Any moment that the temperature dips below the requirement could zap away the shelf life of your product. 

There’s also difficulty with grocery delivery because certain products cannot be shipped with others. Some produce items can’t be packaged in the same bag as others. Refrigerated items such as milk and cheese shouldn’t reach the temperatures that frozen microwavable meals demand and vice versa. 

Some of these grocery delivery services have refrigerated trucks that carry the groceries from house to house, while others do the temperature control within the grocery totes, using insulated boxes, large ice packs, or dry ice. 

Drivers who deliver these shipments must be more conscious about delivery windows to ensure that each food stays exactly how it is supposed to be, so the integrity remains when the bags make their way from the front step into the kitchens of consumers worldwide. 

Meal Service Delivery Kits

Meal Service Delivery Kits from providers like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Green Chef, Sun Basket, and Plated are handled a little differently from grocery delivery service. 

Shoppers who want pre-portioned ingredients to prepare two or three meals a week for their family will sign up for these services. Ultimately, the providers, like HelloFresh, will have a preselected menu for the week. 

In this case, the providers are the ones deciding what produce, grain, dairy, and meat can be packaged together. These deliveries arrive at customers’ homes in insulated cardboard boxes. Meats are typically at the bottom of the box covered by large ice packs, with produce and dry items packaged on top. 

These deliveries are a little less complicated and don’t require immediate attention from the customer to stay fresh. While there are instructions to unpack in the fridge as soon as possible, food can stay cold with gel ice packs if customers are not home at the time of delivery. Typically, these items are kept at refrigerated temperatures and don’t fall into the realm of frozen food shipping. Proper packaging during this time helps maintain the integrity of your product. 

Multiple carriers still come into play to get food delivered from the meal service distribution centers to the doorsteps of customers, many times parcel companies like UPS and FedEx complete the last leg of delivery. These carriers need to have the knowledge and expertise of shipping frozen and refrigerated food. This will ensure that the meal kits are delivered properly and are safe for the customer to eat. 

Categorized Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes have become a major trend in the food industry. Unlike the full grocery delivery services, these boxes differ as they often only offer a specific type of commodity. Examples of food subscription boxes are Butcherbox, Misfits Market, Jeni’s Pint Club, Carnivore Club, and Wine Down. 

These categorized subscription boxes are even less complicated to package and deliver than the Meal Service Delivery kits. Since all items are in the same category and require similar packaging and temperature control, there is no need to make sure certain items are at the bottom with more sensitive items at the top of the box. 

All items are packaged like the meal kits inside an insulated cardboard box covered by large ice packs and delivered the same way. Companies like ButcherBox can warehouse and deliver their boxes in one to two days with services like Direct-to-Consumer through our parent company, Burris Logistics. 

Third-Party Logistics Frozen Food Shipping

Originally published July 7th, 2017 By Brittany Siegel. Updated by Victoria Dalton.

Frozen food is considered one of the safest forms of food preservation because the freezing temperatures prevent harmful bacteria. This doesn’t necessarily mean that frozen food is foolproof. Several situations that could cause your frozen food to go bad and ways to prevent them from happening. If you’re new to shipping frozen food, or you’re a seasoned veteran staying up to date with the ever-changing world of cold chain logistics, here are a few things to keep in mind that can impact your company’s bottom line. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

Improper Packaging

Improper packaging is the most common mistake in frozen food shipping. It may also be the most involved part of your process. Multiple layers of packaging and ensuring an airtight seal to eliminate any heat or humidity penetration is critical. Your packaging’s  inner layer  should be waterproof to prevent any leakage from melting refrigerant causing damage to your outer packaging.  

The person responsible for packaging your frozen food should have a strong understanding of dry ice and how to store it in proper containers. Although it a great source for cold chain packaging, it could be detrimental to your shipment if misused. If dry ice is packaged in an airtight container, there could be a pressure build up and cause that entire container to burst.   

Package your frozen food with the proper amount of dry ice or frozen gel packs to prevent temperature fluctuations from happening. You should also ensure that you have the proper sized box to store your products. Too large with extra space means your goods could become damaged in the process of moving.  

To prevent improper packaging, ensure that you have full knowledge of the temperatures required for that shipment and what type of insulation you want to use. Partnering with a 3PL that works with vetted carriers that have a strong understanding of how to transport frozen food will also save your shipment from spoiling or getting damaged.  

Underestimating Shipping Times

When you underestimate shipment times, the result could impact your bottom line. If your product arrives to its destination melted or spoiled, you’ll end up with rejected products. This means money lost.  

Plan your frozen food shipments ahead and research estimated transit times so you can pack enough coolant material. This will also provide insight on which refrigerant choice would work better for that shipment. One to two blocks of dry ice will last between 18-36 hours in a small Styrofoam shipping container. In a larger shipping container, dry ice can last between two to three days. It’s never a bad idea to make sure you have enough refrigerant packed so that it could last an extra day or two should your shipment have some unforeseen delay. Communicate the estimated transit time with your third-party logistics provider to ensure that the carrier shipping your frozen food has all the necessary information. 

Not Properly Recording Information

Keep record of every detail about your shipment. This is paramount to staying compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and proving that your business has done everything possible to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. This includes the proper labeling of packaging, any providers used, and temperature records from before, during, and after transit.  

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is transforming the nation’s food safety system into one that is based on the prevention of foodborne illnesses. Our team stays updated on these regulations and have processes in place to stay compliant.  

Not Using a Qualified Provider

Maintaining the correct temperatures when shipping frozen food means maintaining its quality. You should make sure you choose a provider who is experienced with your frozen food product. Don’t make the mistake in trying to lower shipping costs by shipping mixed temperature goods together, which if not done properly, can compromise their quality and result in rejection of your product. Shipping mixed loads can be done, but you need to make sure it’s with a provider that has trucks with separate compartments capable of holding different temperatures, and the experience to handle it.  

Finding and building a relationship with a qualified, experienced carrier to haul your frozen food products can be a long and time-consuming process. At Trinity, we have a network of over 70,000 qualified carrier relationships to help you.  

Why not choose to save some time?  

If you find it difficult to juggle multiple providers for your cold chain logistics, there’s a better, even seamless, way of doing business. Cold chain logistics can be difficult to manage and finding reliable providers can be frustrating. There are many moving parts of the cold chain that can be hard to follow and track. Often you may find yourself with many providers and contacts to sort through. What if you could reduce all your cold chain logistics companies down to one? What if you could replace the rest by finding one with a range of modes for your cold chain freight, including warehousing, transportation management, and more? Sound too good to be true? Keep reading.

RISKS OF MULTIPLE PROVIDERS

When you ship and manage temperature-controlled freight, you often find yourself working with more than one logistics provider. This means there can be more handling, which can become a cause for safety concerns.

Manual processes in the transportation of cold chain freight can cause decreased visibility along your freight’s journey. The majority exists within the food industry due to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Because of this, shippers need to practice diligence when selecting and vetting the carriers they choose move their freight. They must make sure to communicate responsibilities such as required temperature requirements, having access to temperature readings, and making sure equipment is inspected before moving.

When you work with more than one carrier the process becomes more complicated. Each one adds complexity to your cold chain and every handling adds risk. Take time to map out your supply chain end-to-end, identify gaps, simplify your processes, and reduce the number of providers that move your freight. This can reduce your cold chain safety risks.

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

HOW WORKING WITH TRINITY CAN BENEFIT YOUR COLD CHAIN

This is where partnering with Trinity Logistics can help. As a Burris Logistics Company, we’re uniquely qualified to arrange solutions across your entire cold chain. Working with us means you can feel at ease knowing your cold chain products are well taken care of during transportation. Stop searching for and working with multiple cold chain logistics companies. We vet every carrier in our network, reducing your risk and time spent finding providers. Some of the benefits of working with one 3PL include:

…INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

The ability to be flexible and quickly adapt to change is important for your cold chain business to stay competitive. When you partner with Trinity it gives you that flexibility of having a whole network of vetted, qualified carriers at the ready. And because we’re under the Burris Logistics umbrella, should you need other logistics solutions outside of our range, we can still support you by working with Burris to arrange those cold chain solutions that fit. We can help you stay flexible as one sole provider, instead of working with several.

…REDUCED WASTE

When you work with only one cold chain logistics provider, you can reduce your waste. At Trinity, you’ll build a relationship with a logistics expert. We can help you reduce supply chain inefficiencies through transportation management or reduce emissions by finding better routes. We can help you use trucks efficiently, such as reducing deadhead miles or suggesting intermodal when it makes sense.

…SAVE MONEY

When you work with a cold chain logistics company, such as Trinity Logistics, you can save money. With more flexibility, increased efficiencies, and reduced waste, you’ll be able to use your money better and reduce your logistics costs. By working with one provider instead of several, you’ll save time in billing and invoices. We provide a Team of dedicated, knowledgeable, and flexible experts, bringing you increased productivity and workflows within your logistics. Working with a provider such as Trinity, is a great way to cut costs without losing quality, time, or deadline requirements when it comes to your freight management and transportation.

WORKING WITH A COMPANY LIKE TRINITY, A BURRIS LOGISTICS COMPANY

When choosing to work with Trinity Logistics, you’re choosing to cut complexity. Cold chain logistics is complicated in itself and trying to do it alone can be frustrating. Choose to reduce your frustration with cold chain logistics companies by choosing the right one.

With Trinity, you’ll gain end-to-end supply chain management. Trinity is one part of the Burris Logistics umbrella, so working with us offers you access to other Burris options such as cold storage or direct-to-consumer fulfillment should you need it.

With Trinity and Burris combined, you’ll gain a greater level of flexibility in your cold chain with customized solutions. You’ll have a greater level of agility in your logistics execution while reducing cost. Since we focus on how you operate as a shipper, we make sure we fit your mold and help to solve your problems, not the other way around. You can count on Trinity Logistics to be able to serve and support your cold chain all the way from production to delivery.

Simplify your cold chain logistics today.

Need more info?

Finding and selecting a cold chain logistics provider can be a tough and lengthy process. You want to make sure you find the right one. The one who you can trust in understanding your freight’s regulations and has the quality of the transportation you need for your temperature-controlled freight. Here at Trinity, we consider ourselves uniquely qualified within the cold chain. We’ve worked with thousands of shippers with temperature-controlled products, making us well-versed in the requirements and regulations. 

Don’t just take our (written) word for it. Join us and our parent company, Burris Logistics, for an educational webinar to discuss our Fully Connected Cold Chain. In this webinar, you’ll hear from three experts in the industry: Mark Peterson and Mo Shearer of Trinity Logistics and Nick Falk of Burris Logistics. They’ll all speak to the intricacies you can experience in cold chain distribution and their personal stories of expertise with commodities like seafood, produce, and more.  

Find out why Burris Logistics has become a well-known cold storage provider and how they have further grown within the cold chain industry by finding support in other areas of logistics, such as freight management with Trinity Logistics. Learn from our panelists why cold chain logistics is often best left to the experts.

If you’re in the cold chain space and have any questions or concerns about your logistics, this is the webinar to attend. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn more about our people-centric and servant approach, together with Burris, straight from some of our top members of the company. 

Join us for “A Fully Connected Cold Chain”

February 2, 2021 at 1:00pm EST. 

Does the COVID-19 vaccine have your cold chain logistics worried? If not, you should be taking it into consideration. 

Everyone’s over the pandemic. We’re ready to be back attending public events, traveling to popular destinations, have our kids in school full time, and more. So much of 2020 has had to cancel or make the move to virtual and it’s not the same. Additionally, here at Trinity, the health and wellbeing of our Team Members, Authorized Agents, Carriers, and Customers is our number one priority.

Pfizer, Moderna, and others have quickly turned around vaccine solutions, making the light at the end of the tunnel seem in reach. With everyone looking to gain some sense of normal back into their lives, it means all hands will be on deck for the upcoming vaccine distribution. That means other cold chain commodities, will fall lower in priority. How will this affect your cold chain logistics?

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE

Vaccines are fragile. Most have to store at specific colder temperatures to protect them from deterioration. If left out too long or exposed to fluctuating temperatures, vaccines can lose their effectiveness. According to the World Health Organization, one in four vaccines loses its integrity during transit. Due to their fragility and the extensive attention to detail that the logistics sector has to maintain, roughly 80 percent of a vaccine’s cost comes from its storage and transport. 

Usually vaccines transport in temperature ranges of two to eight degrees Celsius. Currently, nine COVID-19 vaccines are in their Phase 3 trials, with two, Pfizer and Moderna, being very close to distribution. Because of the quick turnaround the world is seeking, these vaccines are containing higher protein bases which need ultracold temperatures, as low as minus 80 degree Celsius. Those receiving vaccines will need to get two doses, each about three to four weeks apart. Over time, vaccines will be developedrequiring more typical refrigeration temperatures and single doses. Regardless, cold chain logistics will continue to play a vital role in the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and for now, the specifications will be strict. 

ALL COLD CHAIN HANDS ON DECK

Currently, Pfizer expects to produce and distribute up to 50 million doses of their vaccine in 2020 and 1.3 billion in 2021; Moderna expects 20 million in 2020 and anywhere from 500 million to one billion in 2021. Not to mention the other vaccines that will make their way as well. It is estimated that to immunize 7.8 billion people worldwide, 10 billion doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be needed.

The FMCSA recently announced their most recent extension of the Hours-of-Service waiver to February 28^th and included carriers transporting COVID-19 vaccines. This effort is expected to be the biggest challenge the logistics sector has ever faced. Currently, logistics experts are struggling to plan ahead because of the lack of very specific information that they need to know about, such as the packaging, amount of dry ice needed to maintain temperatures, warehousing, equipment needed, and more. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

AREAS TO WATCH

Through Operation Warp Speed, Moderna and other upcoming vaccines will deliver to the Mckesson distribution center in Irving, Texas, and then arranged deliveries to hospitals, nursing homes, and other determined points. Moderna will manufacture its vaccine in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. 

Pfizer, however, has chosen to not distribute through Operation Warp Speed. They manufacture their vaccine in Michigan and plan to ship with transportation providers such as UPS and FedEx to locations around the country. They’ve chosen to directly ship to gain greater control and real-time insights into the status of their frozen vials. 

HOW IT AFFECTS CAPACITY

Obviously, reefer capacity is going to be needed for vaccine distribution. But, it’s already tight. If you’re in the cold chain, shipping temperature-controlled items, prepare to continue paying premiums for this service.

Recently, reefer rejection rates have been at almost 50 percent. That means almost one out of every two reefer shipments are being turned down by carriers. When the rejection rates are higher, the tighter capacity is, and the higher cost for you to get your cold freight moved. Reefer rates are already 20 percent higher year-over-year due to increased consumer demand while spending more time at home. 

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

If you ship temperature-controlled goods, the upcoming vaccine distribution efforts should be a concern for your business and logistics, especially if you regularly ship through less-than-truckload (LTL). Many top tier transportation companies such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL are ready to help Operation Warp Speed in the vaccine distribution. Everyone knows the vaccine distribution is the highest priority, but transportation providers also know they will be well compensated for their service of transporting it. This means other cold chain commodities will be pushed further down in priority. This will only continue on as more COVID vaccines become available to be distributed and until risk of COVID is greatly reduced. In the form of some ultracold transportation logistics, winter is coming and the demand for reefers will continue to rise. 

SHIPPING COLD CHAIN? WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE

Communicate.

Get ready now. Start talking to your relationships and providers to make sure you will have trucks to move your freight. Talk to your customers. Let them know now that things may slow down or get behind with the upcoming and expected vaccine distribution efforts.

Things may be getting tougher for you, but I think we all know this is good. We’re one step closer to returning to some sense of normalcy. Hold on, because the light at the end of the tunnel is there. It’s now in reach. We’re just in for a few more bumps in the road, but we’ll make it. 

Looking for an expert in cold chain logistics? 

Author: Christine Morris