New FDA regulations are making making the rules and protocols around the transportation of food and other temperature sensitive goods stricter. In order to maintain compliance and ensure your fleets are fully equipped to provide consistent temperature reporting, read on.
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
Back in 2011 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) passed the Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA. The act was passed in order to ensure the safety of the population by preventing contamination to the food supply. This has been seen as the largest reform to food safety laws in America in the last 70 years.
Preventing Food Contamination
With the new Food Safety Modernization Act, the FDA is aiming to shift focus from responding to outbreaks of contaminated food to preventing them before they even happen. In doing so, they are enforcing more stringent requirements on sanitary transportation practices. One such instance relates to requirements for vehicles and transportation equipment, transportation operations, training, and record keeping. Included in this list of requirements is one for individuals who transport foods that require time and temperature control to ensure they are safely maintained through the transportation cold chain during operations.
Transportation Cold Chain Management
In order to comply with the new regulations, soon it will be mandatory for refrigerated trucks carrying temperature sensitive food and goods to maintain strict temperature protocols including pre-cooling the vehicle, during loading and unloading operations, and during the transportation phase. In order to show accountability for this, consistent temperature reporting is required throughout all stages of the transportation cold chain. Shippers must also provide a complete temperature report to the receiver upon request.
Easiest Way to Track Reefer Temperature
In order to stay compliant with the FSMA and ensure that your temperature records are properly kept on your cargo, one of the easiest ways currently available on the market is the Valor Temptrac Reefer Temperature Monitoring system. This system easily integrates with your Geotab GPS Fleet Tracking devices with an easy to install kit including sensors and other hardware, and the software can easily be installed from the Geotab Marketplace. Once these components are put in place, you’ll have all your temperature data at your fingertips.
Geotab Fleet Tracking
In addition to the value of consistent temperature monitoring for your fleet of vehicles, Geotab also offers a range of other valuable features as well, including:
• Improved productivity
• Better customer service
• Reminders for regular vehicle maintenance and security
• Reduced costs
• Safer driving
Get Rolling Today
There’s a reason that over 400,000 vehicles use Geotab – it’s simply the best. Get started today with our famous $50 GPS fleet tracking trial offer. Here’s how it works:
• You try out a device or devices on your fleet vehicle(s).
• When you’re ready to buy, we credit $50 to your account.
• If you’re not 100% on board, no problem.
Remember, there’s no hassle, no obligation.. and no excuse not to get rolling today!
Thanks for reading,
Russ Salo, president
GPS to GO, Now You Know