If you are looking for cool storage in Tauranga, chances are you are an exporter of food products to destinations outside of New Zealand.  Because food safety is an important factor in your business, it is best to look for cool storage in Tauranga that meets all requirements under the New Zealand Safety Authority.

Requirements For Cool Storage In Tauranga Of Dairy Products

Dairy Risk Management Programme Certified for Cool Storage in Tauranga

For cool storage in Tauranga, any facility storing dairy products needs to operate under a registered Risk Management Programme (RMP).  The RMP makes sure that all stored products will meet the export requirements of New Zealand, as well as the requirements of the countries where it will be shipped.

The purpose of the RMP is to ensure that proper procedures are in place to manage hazards, the condition and the labeling of dairy products being stored in cool storage in Tauranga or elsewhere.  Basically, the RMP requires practices to keep stored products in proper condition for export and consumption.

Risk Organism Response Plan (RORP)

Risk organisms are pests and diseases that are new to New Zealand and have not been previously encountered.  It also includes pests and diseases that have been eradicated from the country.  Facilities that store dairy products, such as cool storage in Tauranga, should be certified as having a risk organism response plan.   This will ensure that if a response to a risk organism is required, the stored products will be handled properly and protected.

Requirements for Cool Storage in Tauranga of Kiwifruit

In order to establish common standards for food safety throughout the world, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has established a certification programme for suppliers and retailers.  Cool storage facilities that are BRC certified meet high standards for quality, safety, cleanliness and other criteria.

Requirements Concerning Unpacking of Sea Containers

With so many sea containers entering the ports of New Zealand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is charged with establishing New Zealand’s biosecurity system.  Any facility offering cool storage in Tauranga should ideally be certified under the MAF’s program for the proper handling of sea containers.  Two certifications that are important include:

•  Bio-security Transitional Facility
• Secure Export Certified

Maintaining the health and safety of New Zealanders or those receiving exports from our country through proper care of stored products is very important.  When looking for cool storage in Tauranga, it is important to check that the facility has taken steps to hold proper certification for the protection of health and safety.

If you are seeking to export food products from New Zealand, you understand how finding ways to keep your products in good condition while in cool storage in Tauranga or other port cities is vital to your business. Products needing cool storage are the most perishable of all goods traveling from one destination to another. They require special attention in terms of packaging, handling and correct storage while awaiting transport. In the Port of Tauranga, these largely include food products such as fruit and vegetables and dairy products.

Packaging Perishable Products for Cool Storage in Tauranga

With perishable products, time is of the essence. When packaging goods for cool storage in Tauranga, the best system is one that can be loaded and unloaded easily and quickly. Crates are one good option because they are not overly heavy and are easily stacked. Crates holding vegetables or fruits should be small enough to be easily moved when full. Care should be taken to allow sufficient airflow around the packed goods to maintain good temperature control for the goods. A two-foot gap between the walls and the crates is ideal, as well as a similar gap between storage crates.

Proper Handling of Goods Needing Cool Storage in Tauranga

When readying goods for cool storage in Tauranga, care must be taken to keep fragile goods such as fruit and some vegetables from becoming damaged during handling. One way to reduce the amount of handling is to prepare any produce for storage while still in the field, and place them in the containers to be used during cool storage in Tauranga.

Keeping Goods Fresh Through Cool Storage in Tauranga

In order to insure that perishable goods are maintained in good condition while being placed in cool storage in Tauranga, the following conditions should be carefully monitored:

Temperatures During Cool Storage in Tauranga

Not all perishable goods can be kept at the same low temperature during cool storage in Tauranga or any other storage location. Fruits and vegetables can be especially vulnerable. While it is necessary to keep produce cool, extreme temperatures can result in damage to some fruits and vegetables. If they are stored below proper temperatures, some produce develop “chill damage” which makes them inedible. Keep in mind that the temperature at which chill damage takes place varies among different types of produce.

Humidity Levels

Unlike many other goods, most produce require a generally high humidity level to keep them in the best condition. A relative humidity of around 85 to 90 percent is generally what is needed for produce placed in cool storage in Tauranga. Wrapping produce in plastic after it reaches the proper storage temperature is one way to help maintain an ideal humid environment. Sprinkling the produce with water before storing it can also be helpful.

Separation of Goods

Not all fruits and vegetables make good neighbors. While keeping them in cool storage in Tauranga, care must be taken to separate produce that may transfer odors or speed up ripening by the release of ethylene, a gaseous plant hormone. For example, onions or garlic have a strong odor and should be kept separate from other produce. Bananas are particularly good at producing ethylene, and so should be kept away from other fruits, so they do not ripen too quickly.

The Port of Tauranga handles over 13 million tonnes of cargo each year, making it New Zealand’s largest port. For any exporter of perishable goods, it is important to maintain proper care of those goods during storage while awaiting transport from the port. Paying particular attention to the requirements for proper cool storage in Tauranga of those goods will insure they will reach their destination in good condition.

Dry storage generally refers to the storage of goods that do not require a special temperature-controlled environment. In this global economy, products are routinely shipped from one country to another for sale or use by another business. The most commonly shipped cargo is dry goods, in which case a dry storage facility is needed. When dealing with large quantities of goods, it is often necessary to store them while awaiting the necessary transport; days or even weeks of storage may be required. Below are a few key qualities to look for when choosing an appropriate dry storage facility.

Types of Products That Can be Placed in Dry Storage
There are a variety of different products that can make use of a dry storage facility. Building materials such as sand or gravel is common, as well as paper products and plastics. Many non-perishable foods can also be placed in dry storage, such as rice, beans, flour and cocoa. Even large bulky items, such as furniture, can make use of a dry storage facility if there is adequate space.

Proximity to Modes of Transport
Clearly, the closer the dry storage facility is to the port of entry or other transportation hubs, particularly trucks or rail, the less time that will be lost getting the cargo to its next destination. Many types of goods need to be transported as quickly as possible, although this is mostly true for perishable goods rather than most types of dry goods. Cargo on ships must be removed within a specific period of time (usually 72 hours), otherwise demurrage fees may be charged to the party responsible for the delay. Being able to transfer goods to a dry storage facility located close to the port helps to reduce the risk of such delays.

Good Communication
Tracking of your shipped goods can be complicated when they are being moved from one form of transport or shipper to another. It can be very helpful to find a dry storage facility that keeps you informed of the progress of your goods before, during and after the storage period.

Food Grade Dry Storage
While non-perishable food products do not require refrigeration or other climate controls, there are some additional features that should be available to insure the proper dry storage of any food products. These include:

Low Humidity Levels and Consistent Temperatures
Moisture is the enemy of food preservation, as it promotes food spoilage and the growth of mold and bacteria. Low humidity levels can help prevent moisture from being introduced to goods placed in dry storage. Ideally, humidity levels should be kept at 15 percent or lower. Good ventilation or dehumidification units can help maintain steady and low levels of humidity in the dry storage area. Also look for dry storage facilities that keep food away from areas of direct sunlight or storage areas where temperature extremes are common.

Separation of Goods in Dry Storage Areas
For food safety reasons, it is best to keep food products stored separately from non-food products, particularly any goods that are potentially harmful. Look for a dry storage facility that maintains a separate area for the storage of food products to eliminate any risk of contamination.

Dry Storage Pest Control
Clearly, food products are attractive targets for pests, such as rodents and insects. Dry storage facilities that maintain good practices to eliminate exposure to pests are recommended. Ideally, all food products should be stored off the ground, such as on pallets. The dry storage area should also be kept clean and clear of attractive hiding places for pests or nests.

Getting your goods from their point of origin to their final destination can be a complex process. The need to temporarily store your goods in a dry storage facility often becomes part of the equation. Because keeping your goods in optimum condition is so important, it is vital that attention be given to finding a high quality dry storage facility to insure your goods arrive in excellent condition.

What to Look For in a Food Grade Dry Storage Facility

If your business requires the shipment of goods from one country to another, you may need to temporarily store your goods in a dry storage port facility while awaiting transport.  When your dry goods include food products, it is important that the dry storage facility contain safeguards to protect your goods from contamination, infestation or spoilage.  Features to look for include the following:

• Consistent temperature range
• Low moisture
• Separation of goods from non-food products
• Pest control

Keep in mind that dry storage refers to facilities for goods that do not require refrigeration or freezing.  For food products that have more exact temperature requirements, dry storage will likely not provide an adequate environment.

Avoid Temperature Extremes in Dry Storage

While dry storage does not refer to refrigerated facilities, food products should be stored in an area free from temperature extremes.  Cooler areas are best for retaining freshness, so facilities that naturally maintain moderate temperatures will provide the best dry storage option for dry foods.  Also, electrical equipment such as freezers or furnaces should not be located in the same storage area as the dry goods.  Such equipment can raise temperatures and humidity levels.

Low Moisture Dry Storage Environment

When it comes to preserving dry goods, clearly it is important to protect products from exposure to moisture.  To store food, look for dry storage areas that consistently maintain a humidity level of less than 15 percent.  Ventilation is also helpful for eliminating moisture in dry storage areas.  Areas that have sufficient ventilation can help prevent condensation from accumulating on the packaging material.

Separation of Goods in Dry Storage Areas

Although products stored in a dry storage area should be kept in sealed containers, it is still a good idea to make sure food products are stored separately from non-food products.  This is especially true when dealing with products that are potentially harmful.

Dry Storage Pest Control

To insure the integrity of any food stored in dry storage areas, extra care should be taken to prevent exposure to pests, such as rodents or insects.  The storage area should be designed to discourage pests.  The dry storage area should be kept free from attractive hiding places that encourage nests.  Also, food should not be stored with direct contact with the floor, but should be raised off the floor by a few inches.

Packaging of Food During Dry Storage

Another important factor in the storage of food in dry storage is the container or packaging materials in which the goods are stored.  All containers for food should specifically be food-grade quality.  This means they should not contain any harmful chemicals, and there should be no transfer of non-food chemicals into the goods.  Containers that are air-tight, moisture-proof and insect-proof are also essential.  In some cases, covering the goods with shrink wrap while in dry storage can provide adequate protection.

By insuring the proper care and environment for your food products during dry storage, your goods will be in optimum condition for transport to its next destination.