Do you have the tools necessary for a safe cold chain?

A huge amount of the food we eat in Australia is grown, processed and packaged right here on our own shores. According to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, food and agribusiness was worth approximately $53.9 billion in 2014-15, employing over 500,000 Australian workers.

An unfortunate reality of all that production, however, is the amount of food that the nation throws away – the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) estimates that over $5 billion worth of food goes to waste every year. While there are a number of contributing factors, the AFGC notes that poor cold chain management is a significant factor.

The essentials of cold chain management

It's perhaps unsurprising that the most critical concern of cold chain management is temperature. Preserving the quality and safety of food throughout the production process should be the primary concern for any organisations involved in any stage, whether that be in the factory, transportation of goods, or storage and sale.

Monitoring temperature not only helps producers ensure all food reaches its destination in the best quality possible, it's also a critical part of the investigation process if and when there are food safety issues. Examining historical temperature data can identify where products became compromised and provide the information necessary to prevent issues in future. 

Cold chain management with Testo

Here at Testo, we have several instruments and solutions to help with cold chain management. For conducting regular spot checks of goods as they travel through the supply chain, the testo 831 – 2 Point IR Thermometer features 30:1 optics for incredibly accurate measurements, and the tight measuring circle makes it ideal for measuring temperature of smaller items from a distance. 

For times when getting closer to food is necessary, the testo 104-IR Infrared and Probe Thermometer features an integrated probe thermometer for measuring the core temperature of food products like meat. The probe is easily folded away when not required, such as when the additional IR thermometer is more suitable. 

Keeping track of temperature values over the course of the cold chain is made easy with Testo's Saveris 2 and wireless data loggers. Temperature values are sent from connectable sensors and probes, creating a record of any fluctuations for later perusal if necessary. 

Introducing a combination of Testo's temperature monitoring solutions into your cold chain can not only improve the quality of your products, but protect you in the event of an issue. Speak to us today about how we can help.