Taylor's Transportation Blog

With winter comes cooler temperatures but that doesn't mean you can afford to drop the ball on the way your meat is transported to its final destinations. There's so much more to safe meat handling than just outdoor temperatures. You need to follow everything from consistent temperatures to proper routes and processes and so much more. Follow these tips when choosing a refrigerated transport service for your meat transportation needs during winter:

Make Sure Meat Is Kept At The Proper Temperature Consistently

Your meat needs to be stored at a specific temperature with no changes to maintain its flavour, freshness and consistency. Most states will provide their own regulations about meat transportation. For example, Victoria meat transport regulations stipulate that the surface temperature of sides, quarters and carcasses should be 7ºC and all other meat portions should be 5ºC or less. If the temperatures go higher than this, then the meat could start to rot and spoil before it even reaches its destination. Though winter, temperatures vary in different parts of Australia, so the truck must be refrigerated and must maintain consistency with a temperature measuring device or thermometer that is routinely calibrated to maintain accuracy.

Make Sure The Transport Company Follows Safety Procedures For Meat Handling

Health practices and personal hygiene must be followed irrespective of the season, but it's sometimes easy to drop the ball in winters — which should absolutely not be the case. The problem with winter is it comes with several illnesses like colds, coughs and the flu. The person handling your meat should refrain from handling any food if he or she is sick at the time. They must also continue to wash their hands, especially after visiting the toilet or after meals.

Make Sure The Transport Company Has A Clear Route Planned

Before the transport company leaves for their destination, they should have a proper route planned to minimise the time spent on the road. Proper route planning allows you to understand temperatures and climates the truck will pass through to ensure the meat remains in proper condition. Route management also lets you identify better ways to get to the destination for fewer complications. For example, if a certain route to the destination has road works that are known to delay the trip and an alternate route has proven to be faster, then proper planning will allow for you and the transport company to make the adjustment.

Winter meat transportation is no different from any other season. It just means that people cannot afford to take the cooler weather for granted.