● Foods standards agencies or equivalent developing in key countries.


● EU/UN inspectors approving meat and fishery product facilities thereby improving standards.


● US Food & Drug Administration moves from inspection to prevention mode.


● Acceptance of hazard analysis by big food companies and many countries as a safety measure.


In the meantime information and training continue as active methods of preventing claims. Examples are:


● The Internet (and Intranet in many companies) provide a systematic method of communication.


● A booklet by the University of California provides good information on stowing containers plus very good photographs on troubleshooting some perishable product problems.


● Modern videos such as If you think any fool can stuff a container – think again.


● Training courses run by integral container refrigeration equipment manufacturers and organisations such as Cambridge Refrigeration Technology.


● Support of organisations such as International Cold Chain Technology.


The International Quality Standard ISO9000:2000 requires changes in approach if companies wish to retain, or obtain, assessment.


It requires: ● Customer focus ● Leadership ● Involvement of people ● Process approach ● System approach to management ● Continual improvement ● Factual approach to decision making ● Mutually beneficial supplier relationships.


Conclusions


The carriage of temperature controlled cargoes in containers is growing with the vast majority of outturns meeting both the shippers’ and consignees’ requirements. Advances in digital electronics are improving the ability to manage transits. A systematic approach to analysing the causes of claims and incidents can lead to effective remedial and preventive actions.


10


The following is an extract from a on Carriage Instructions for Refrigerated Cargoes produced by the International Cold Chain Technology group (ICCT) – commercial companies interested in the safe transit and storage of refrigerated goods. The Club supports, and is an active member of, ICCT


concern within the industry that insufficient/inadequate instructions are becoming increasingly common making it extremely difficult in some cases for the carrier of the goods to fulfil his duties of care.


A complete copy of the recommendations is available from the Club on request.


Introduction


Refrigerated cargoes are invariably perishable to a greater or lesser degree, and their safe carriage depends on maintaining suitable storage conditions during transportation. This is true for all modes of transport and all cargoes, though conditions are more critical for longer journey times and for more perishable commodities.


Refrigerated cargoes include both frozen and chilled goods, the latter including fresh fruits and vegetables. Generally, frozen goods do not suffer if over-cooled, whereas chilled goods can be damaged by low temperatures, either by freezing or by chilling injury to fresh produce. Much tropical and sub-tropical produce is liable to chilling injury if subjected to temperatures below those usually experienced in the growing area. Successful transportation is dependent on the carriage instructions, which define the conditions in which the goods are to be carried. If these instructions are incomplete, inadequate, contradictory, or wrong, then problems can be expected. For the shipper, there is the


Refrigerated cargoes – recommendations for carriage instructions


. The origin of the guide is the


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