Food logistics to protect quality
The food sector sees Italy as a protagonist in the world, thanks to the excellence of its food products, which are in great demand internationally. Food logistics plays a strategic role in ensuring the good preservation of food in the various stages of storage, transport and distribution.
The handling chain in the agri-food sector requires various sensitive procedures at every stage that determines the preservation of the quality and healthiness of the products, from the warehouse to the supply of hotels, restaurants, large-scale distribution and other commercial activities.
Working with a logistics partner in the food sector allows you to benefit from certified warehouses and services dedicated to the transport of raw materials, in line with the highest quality standards.
Logistics in the food sector: health protection certifications
The food products logistics chain requires specific activities, aimed at ensuring their correct conservation, in compliance with the health regulations in force on the subject.
It is important to use certified warehouses for the storage of all types of food: from frozen foods to fresh products such as fish, meat and dairy products up to non-perishable raw materials that still require the adoption of all measures in the field of food safety and hygiene.
The HACCP code – acronym for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points – is the certification system, mandatory by law, which contains the guidelines for the correct conservation of food, fresh or packaged.
Recognition of the EC mark is also mandatory for businesses that produce, handle or sell animal-based foods such as fish, milk, eggs and derivatives. This is a further guarantee to protect the health of the final consumer.
For the logistical management of organic products it is essential to use certified Organic-branded warehouses. To obtain the organic certification of the warehouse, you need the HACCP declaration of conformity, the compliance with EC regulation 834/2007, better integrated in the ISO 9001: 2015 Quality System.
Food storage: the right temperature for each product
A fundamental aspect of food logistics is undoubtedly storage at the right temperature, which varies according to the type of product. They range from cold rooms dedicated to frozen pallet products (-20 ° C) to temperature-controlled warehouses, adjustable from 0 ° to 18 °, for storing food such as wine, dried fruit, seeds, up to dry storage for raw materials stored at room temperature.
Regardless of the storage temperature, all spaces for food storage adopt the sanitization and anti-pest treatment procedures required by law, necessary to preserve the integrity and healthiness of food and avoid any type of contamination or alteration of the product.
The most suitable solution is defined together with the customer according to the characteristics of the food, with tailor-made solutions and customizable services according to the specific business.
Distribution logistics: from the warehouse to the end customer
The correct storage of food also passes through the activities of picking the products (from the pallet to the single carton) and preparing the goods for transport. The latter operation requires specific measures, which vary according to the characteristics of the product and the duration and type of trip.
Also for food transport, as well as for storage, compliance with the cold chain is essential for frozen products or products that require controlled temperatures. Furthermore, the product must be placed on the vehicle in such a way as to avoid oscillations and contaminations that could alter its organoleptic proprieties or jeopardize its healthiness.
It is also possible to provide your customers with value added services such as photographic documentation of the condition of the truck before and after loading and of the sealed container, to emphasize the quality of the service and offer additional protection to the client.
Food import and export: the economic advantages of Bonded warehousing
For customers who trade food products abroad, the external warehouse can also perform the function of bonded warehouse, offering economic and fiscal advantages.
The storage of food in bonded warehouse allows you to postpone the payment of taxes at the time of sale, thus favoring the supply of products, without having to anticipate the cost of VAT and import duties.
Pending their distribution, the foods are stored in guaranteed and controlled places, remaining available for total or partial withdrawal, up to the single unit, thus guaranteeing lead times.
The partner for food logistics: tailor-made solutions for every need
Relying on a third-party warehouse for food logistics also means optimizing warehouse and transport costs thanks to the possibility of combining multiple batches and taking advantage of competitive rates for shipping and packaging materials.
MWM offers the possibility to choose the type of service that best suits your needs, with modular and scalable solutions, tailored to suit your needs. It is possible to request storage only or integrate multiple services in the handling chain, also including transport and distribution.
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