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 A brief Synopsis of PPECB Food Safety Criteria & A Checklist 

Intended for companies engaged in transporting
products of plant origin for export

 Management 

• Establish a register of all vehicles including the registration and chassis numbers. 
• Create a register of all chemicals used to clean vehicles including the supplier's specification. 
• Water used for cleaning must be potable (see specification as published). 
• Temperature monitoring equipment to be calibrated every six months. 
• Drivers to be trained in how to manage temperature monitoring equipment and the fridge unit. 
• Drivers to be equipped with a communication means in case of breakdown or malfunction. 
• Transport of mixed loads must take into account compatibility, storage and handling. 
• Vehicles and equipment must be subjected to appropriate regular maintenance to ensure effective and continuous functionality and minimise breakdowns. 
• Make sure you have all of the above information in respect of any sub contractor you may engage and their vehicles. 

 Traceability 

• A record of each load must be maintained. The following must be included:

• Truck and trailer identification numbers. 
• Driver's name.
• Where was the product loaded? 
• Temperature and condition of the product when loaded. Person in charge at the loading point to sign off. 
• Product type. 
• Date and time of departure from loading point. 
• Date and time of arrival at destination. 
• Date and time of off-loading at destination. 
• Temperature during off-loading at destination.
• Acceptance of load in good condition by receiving points.
• Name and address of offloading point.
• A document showing a hazard analysis of the transport element including biological, chemical and physical hazards. 

 Vehicle Spot Checks 

• Look for signs of de-lamination, damaged insulation, holes, cracks and dirt. 
• Is the fridge unit clean? 
• Do the door seals ensure an airtight seal? Are all rubbers in good repair? 
• Are the trucks and/or trailers clean, free from taint, odour, dry and grease-free?

 Scope for Improvement 

Based on International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR)
Recommendations

 Priorities 

• Provide consumers with safe, wholesome foods. 
• Comply with all rules governing hygiene. 
• Make best use of high performance energy-efficient equipment.
• Raise awareness among end-users regarding longterm economic and environmental benefits of energyefficient equipment. 
• Major energy savings can be achieved in the refrigerated transport of chilled products. 

 Keys to improving cold chain and food safety standards 

• Airflow - speed control over fridge unit - evaporator/condenser. Control over temperatures to transport chilled products is more sensitive than transporting frozen products. If it is too cold, products are damaged. If too high, product life is shortened. 
• Insulation - no substitute for high efficiency. Panel, roof and floor thickness, door seals etc.  
• Logistics - establish efficient load modules. 
• Refrigeration power - responsible choice over equipment; energyefficient fridge motors is essential. 
• Temperature control - close monitoring of air temperature. Influence of air guidance devices (airflow ducting), impact of stowage (pallet stacking and packaging) on air and temperature distribution. Define the relationship between air and cargo temperatures. 

Point to Ponder 

The IIR estimates diesel power requirements for refrigerated trucks are 11 kW for a typical rigid van to 23 kW for a trailer unit, giving an overall figure of around 0.05 kW/hr per ton/km. This high power is necessary to obtain a fast temperature pull down and fast recovery with many door openings.