Heavy Duty Trucking, April 2019

APRIL 2019 HDT 67 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM transportation the International Refrigerated Transportation Association says the STF rule identifies shippers as the primary responsible holder when it comes to determining appropriate standards for sanitary and safe transportation of food products While FDA defines shipper as the initiator of a shipment of food IRTA stresses that carriers loaders and receivers must also abide by the STF ruling agree to designated shipper requirements and perform as expected and per shipper requirements To help make that happen shippers have developed food safety plans that incorporate industry best practices to ensure the sanitary transport of perishable food What carriers must do then is fully understand and comply with the requirements of the food safety plans issued by their shipper customers Maintaining pre requisite process documentation will enable the carrier to support its position should claims or lawsuits arise out of the act of carriage points out IRTA Menu items IRTA stresses that maintaining proper records alone may not be enough to defend against claims and suits about food spoilage It recommends that carriers seek legal and risk management counsel Also recommended are conducting periodic reviews of contracts and prerequisites to make sure fleets stay compliant with the latest regulations and best business practices Claims experts with insurance carrier Travelers say in a blog post that the new rule seeks to strengthen safety standards even further by mandating recordkeeping requirements for each party responsible for sanitary food transportation chain It does not however introduce unfamiliar protocols or change how damage or adulteration is determined It was not the FDAs intent to change how the cargo insurance claims process is handled explains Ray Lampley associate manager Travelers Inland Marine Claims It continues to show itself to be more of a perceived risk than a real risk from an insurance and claims perspective As Travelers sees it many motor carriers are already meeting the performance based standards of the new rule with the challenge being formalizing their documentation procedures Clean it Carriers must also provide information to shippers and loaders when requested about previous cargoes hauled in bulk vehicles and the intervening cleaning of those vehicles points out Orbcomm a supplier of temperature monitoring and control systems in an FSMA white paper On top of that vehicles should be inspected for cleanliness prior to loading food that is not completely enclosed by a container Maintaining clean trailers is paramount to prevent cross contamination says Travelers Fleet records should include practices for cleaning including sanitizing as needed and inspecting vehicles All this may be the responsibility of the shipper or of the carrier depending on what a given contract stipulates The rule doesnt provide specific recommendation on how or when a trailer should be cleaned notes Adam Sellars Travelers Inland Marine risk control specialist They leave that up to the transportation parties and shippers to decide The key element is ensuring that records are maintained that demonstrate appropriate cleaning and sanitation practices were implemented For example he says if the shipper cleaned You cant pick up and deliver reefer freight without ever opening the rear side or bulkhead doors of your trailer or truck body But cold air escapes whenever those doors are open putting food safety at risk and forcing the refrigeration unit to work harder To help minimize those problems when the doors are closed they should provide an airtight seal And because loading and unloading freight can damage a reefer door durability should also be a key concern when specing Theres a range of door types to consider as well as detailed by trailer maker Great Dane All aluminum swing doors These should be sealed to eliminate moisture intrusion and feature internal lateral braces for added strength to improve durability and maintain a flat smooth exterior Look for a triple seal gasket design to lock in cold air Tri fold rear doors minimize cold air loss and improve driver safety These are constructed like bi fold doors but instead of two equal width doors there are three doors Food service companies often spec tri fold doors so they can hand deliver products through the center door and down a rear center pullout ramp or lift gate The other two doors remain closed during delivery to limit warm air entering Curbside loading and unloading can be a safer alternative to using a rear door Side doors can be ordered in various heights widths and locations to provide quick and easy access to cargo For loads requiring more than one temperature zone consider movable bulkheads which allow multi temp compartmentalization They can be positioned quickly to accommodate various loads and backhauls KEEPING THE COLD IN When reefer doors are closed they should provide an airtight seal Because loading and unloading freight can damage a door durability should be a key specing concern PHOTO CUMBERLAND FARMS