When it comes to food-grade warehouses, maintaining a precise temperature-controlled environment is crucial. From production to consumption, temperature control plays a vital role in every stage of the food supply chain.
Most food products have specific temperature requirements to prevent spoilage. Depending on their shelf life or perishability, they must be processed, stored, transported, or distributed at appropriate temperature levels.
Failure to maintain optimal temperature conditions for such perishable items can lead to significant losses and food safety risks.
How do warehouse temperature and humidity control contribute to food safety and quality? Let's explore further in this article.
Time and temperature control in food-grade warehouses
One of the primary concerns in food storage is preventing bacterial growth, as bacteria thrive between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), commonly known as the 'danger zone'.
Warehouses must maintain the proper temperatures to keep food safe and fresh. Failure to do so can lead to foodborne illnesses, spoilage, and regulatory non-compliance.
But it is not that simple.
The kind of food stored and its temperature sensitivity also matter. The temperature control system in a food-grade warehouse should take into account aspects such as -
a. Nature of the food stored: water content and activity, pH value, and potential initial levels and types of microorganisms.
b. Estimated shelf-life of the food product
c. Methods used for packaging and processing food items
d. The kind of food you are storing, whether it's ready-to-eat or requires further cooking/ processing
All of these factors decide the permissible limits for time and temperature variations. Therefore, temperature control in food-grade warehouses is essential to keep the food safe and hygienic.
Temperature control in vehicles used for food transportation
Vehicles used for transporting perishable foods to and from storage locations should be appropriately refrigerated to maintain food safety and prevent spoilage.
i) The air temperature of food delivery vehicles should be maintained between 0°C to 5°C for chilled (refrigerated) foods and –18°C for frozen food items.
ii) Install and regularly calibrate probe thermometers to monitor and record temperature fluctuations continuously. Regular maintenance ensures accurate readings and compliance with food safety regulations.
Storage temperature for dry foods
You should always keep dry foods in dry and clean storage areas to prevent food spoilage and swelling of canned goods.
There should be absolutely no sunlight penetration. To prevent this, ensure that dry food storage facilities, ceilings, walls, windows, and floor openings are sealed to regulate humidity and maintain consistently cool temperatures.
The storage for dry foods has the temperature range of:
i) Ideal temperature - between 10°C (50°F)- 21°C (70°F).
ii) Humidity - between 50-55%
Be sure to place food items at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) off the floor. And there should be adequate ventilation. You can keep storage shelves away from the walls to make room for ventilation.
Storage temperature for refrigerated foods
Most fresh foods are stored in refrigerators to extend their shelf-life by delaying deterioration or decomposition.
Here are some pointers to keep in mind –
a. Monitor the temperature of the refrigerators daily. You can fit thermometers to take daily thermometer readings.
b. The safest temperature range for refrigerated storage is to keep foods under 4°C (39°F) or even colder.
c. Ideal refrigerator temperature levels - 0°C to 5°C.
d. Overloaded refrigerators prevent cool air circulation, so try to avoid double stacking.
e. Never place hot foods directly into the storage refrigerator as it may raise the temperature above acceptable limits and lead to cross-contamination of food kept inside.
Storage temperature for frozen foods
Only foods in good and safe condition should be kept in freezer storage because freezing retards bacterial growth,
Keep in mind the following when storing frozen foods.
a. Before storage, all foods are duly labeled and dated.
b. All foods placed in freezers are properly sealed/ wrapped to prevent cross-contamination.
c. All frozen food deliveries must be placed in storage freezers without delay.
d. Freezers should be used for storing only the intended types of frozen food.
e. Install high-temperature alarms and temperature sensors inside deep freezers to alert warehouse staff regarding storage for frozen foods in case of temperature fluctuations.
f. Never overload storage freezers; never leave the doors open longer than necessary.
g. Temperature fluctuations can result in the formation of ice crystals in frozen foods, which can impact their texture and overall quality.
h. Maintain freezer temperature at or below –18°C.
i. Maintain the chillers at the appropriate temperature.
j. Ensure that the vehicles transporting frozen food products are equipped with appropriate refrigeration and recording devices to maintain product temperature at –10°F (–18°C) or colder, as required.
Storage temperature for dairy products
The fat in dairy products tends to absorb strong odours from the storage surroundings. They should be kept inside protective coverings in their designated storage area to prevent this. The optimum storage temperature for dairy products is 2°C to 4°C (36° to 39°F).
It's also best not to order dairy products too far in advance, as they have a shorter shelf life. Rotate dairy products regularly to make room for fresh stocks.
Temperature control best practices for food-grade warehouses
Some good practices can make a huge difference when it comes to managing food-grade warehouses.
a. Keep high-risk foods at: 5°C or below for cold foods, 60°C or above for hot foods, and -18ºC for frozen foods - during storage, display, and transportation.
b. Clearly label the expiry date for high-risk hot and cold food products, so you know when to discard them.
c. Ensure that the facility's storage temperature meets the manufacturer's requirements as specified on the product label. For example, refrigerator temperature for infant formula storage should not exceed 5ºC (41ºF).
d. Have Temperature monitoring devices in locations where the food is most vulnerable to temperature excursions.
e. Use insulated curtain walls to create different, temperature-specific areas within freezers, coolers, or other specified areas to store different types of temperature-sensitive food products safely.
f. Insulated door blankets can be your savior in the most awkward moments, like the sudden breakdown of a freezer or cooler door. They serve as a temporary replacement to mitigate product loss as you await a freezer replacement or repair.
g. You can also use blast freezer curtain walls to reduce cold blast cycle times and save on energy. They help flash freeze certain foods to a specific temperature to preserve quality.
Conclusion
Proper temperature control in food-grade warehouse centres is no longer optional — it is essential. It is about preventing food spoilage and complying with food safety regulations and industry standards. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can lead to severe legal consequences and jeopardise consumer health.
At Cargoz, we specialise in food-grade warehouse solutions that ensure optimal temperature control throughout your supply chain. We offer scalable and flexible storage solutions, allowing you to expand your storage space, move closer to your customers, and adjust temperature settings as your business needs evolve.
Looking for the most reliable, on-demand food storage warehouse that meets regulatory compliance and keeps your inventory safe? Cargoz connects you with top-tier temperature-controlled facilities to safeguard your perishable goods. We assure you that we will connect you to the right one.
Contact us today for a free consultation and secure your ideal food-grade storage facility with Cargoz!
FAQs
1. What is the ideal storage temperature for refrigerated foods?
The safest refrigerated storage temperature is 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F).
2. How can I prevent temperature fluctuations in a food warehouse?
a. Use high-quality insulation in freezers.
b. Install temperature alarms for monitoring.
c. Limit door openings to prevent air leakage.
3. Why is humidity control important in dry food storage?
Excess humidity can lead to mould growth, while low humidity can cause food dehydration.
4. What happens if food storage warehouses fail to maintain proper temperatures?
If warehouses do not maintain the correct temperatures, food can spoil, leading to bacterial growth, foodborne illnesses, and regulatory non-compliance. This can result in financial losses and legal consequences for businesses.
5. How do food-grade warehouses monitor temperature fluctuations?
Food-grade warehouses use temperature sensors, probe thermometers, and automated monitoring systems to track and record temperature variations continuously. Many facilities also have high-temperature alarms to alert staff if conditions exceed the safe range.
6. What are the UAE regulations for food storage temperature control?
The Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department enforces strict regulations on temperature-controlled storage. Warehouses must adhere to HACCP (Haz
ard Analysis Critical Control Point) and ISO 22000 standards to ensure food safety compliance.
7. How can businesses reduce energy costs in temperature-controlled warehouses?
Businesses can reduce energy consumption by:
a. Using energy-efficient refrigeration units
b. Installing insulated curtain walls to separate temperature zones
c. Regularly maintaining and calibrating cooling equipment
d. Implementing automated cooling systems that adjust based on inventory levels
e. Excess humidity can lead to mould growth, while low humidity can cause food dehydration.