Chocolate production, storage and transport can be a sweet and yet a complex business. Because it’s a food product, standards are high especially when it comes to sanitation and temperature control (and also about potential allergens such as milk and soy). And because it’s a somewhat soft and fragile product, extra care should be observed to avoid deforming the chocolates.
Why chocolate transport is challenging
Customers, retailers, bakeshops and others expect chocolates to be within an acceptable range (whether it’s the softness, the colour and the sweetness and overall taste). However, those expectations can be hard to fulfil because of things inside and outside of our control.
For instance, during March and Easter period, traffic builds up which can cause delays in deliveries. On the other hand, warm climate, hot weather and high humidity levels during those times can compromise the chocolate’s quality. In Sydney, the relative humidity in the morning could reach more than 80%. Although temperatures during autumn are a bit stable and no extremes, the temperature is still high (25℃ to 29℃). It’s a safe range though because it’s hotter in the suburbs further from the sea (water is good at regulating the surrounding temperatures).
As a result, it’s crucial that during transport, a safe temperature range should be maintained. If inside the van or truck the temperature gets a bit higher, the chocolates will soften or melt. Even without opening the pack or box, we can instantly notice the deformity (the entire delivered batch might then be rejected). Also, higher temperatures speed up enzymatic and microbial activities. Whether it’s in the chocolate, aluminium foil, plastic trays or carton boxes, higher temperatures can promote growth and reproduction of microbes (musty odour, sugar bloom because of moisture).
Because of the usual thin packs and containers of chocolates, the temperature outside will be instantly transmitted to the products. Even a brief temperature fluctuation can compromise the entire delivery. Also, the containers are sensitive to temperature changes such as when carton boxes become damp and unstable.
To prevent those problems and ensure the quality of the chocolates and integrity of the packaging, you can count on us here at COOLTRANS. We have clean and well-maintained refrigerated vans and trucks to ensure tight temperature control. We also regularly update ourselves about the most recent regulations on transporting chocolate, dairy products and other food items. Contact us today if you require more information about how we do refrigerated transport.
