If you have to move perishable products such as produce, meat, plants, or frozen goods, you need to set the proper temperature ranges on your reefer unit so that the load is delivered in a safe condition.
Otherwise, moving perishable goods under incorrect temperature ranges may lead to a loss of product and loss of revenue.
Find below the refrigerated trailer temperature ranges for different kinds of perishable loads.
Refrigerated trailer temperature range
Not all goods can be transported safely under one level of temperature because different types of perishable items require transportation under different levels of temperature ranges.
To transport perishable goods safely, customers have to provide carriers or truck drivers with the required temperature standard ranges so that they know what temperature ranges to set on their reefers.
Standard temperature ranges were created for various types of items.
At the same time, government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also have their own rules that determine safe transportation temperatures.
Without these standards, cargo could spoil, resulting in illness for consumers and lost revenue for wholesalers and retailers.
How Cold Can a Reefer Trailer Get?
Reefer trailers don't cool down the cargo.
From the start, the heat-sensitive cargo is loaded at the proper temp. After that, the reefer keeps the temperature steady throughout its entire journey.
The average reefer maintains temperatures within a range of about -13 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, there are highly specialized refrigeration units that go as low as -85 degrees Fahrenheit. These reefers are used for the transportation of items in the medical and chemical industries.
Reefer trailer temperature ranges
product | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Butter | 0 to +2 | +32 to +35 |
Butter frozen | - 25 to -20 | -13 to -4 |
Cheese | 0 to +4 | +32 to +39 |
Chocolate | +10 to +18 | +50 to +65 |
Eggs | -2 to +1 | +28 to +34 |
Fish (Chilled) | -1 to 0 | +30 to +32 |
Fish (Frozen) | -25 to -20 | -13 to -4 |
Juice and concentrate | -25 to -20 | -13 to -4 |
Margarine | -12 to -8 | +10 to +18 |
Meat (Chilled) | -2 to 0 | +28 to +32 |
Meat (Frozen) | -25 to -20 | -13 to -4 |
Milk & Dairy products | 0 to +1 | +32 to +34 |
Poultry (Frozen) | -25 to -20 | -13 to -4 |
Shellfish (Frozen) | -25 to -20 | -13 to -4 |
Vegetables (Frozen) | -25 to -20 | -13 to -4 |
Onion | 0 to +3 | +32 to 37 |
1. Produce
Produce is meant mostly for human consumption.
That is why it's important to transport this kind of product in a safe and temperature-controlled environment.
Concerning its appearance, when customers step into a grocery store, they expect to find clean and attractive produce.
To prevent spoilage, produce needs to be transported under strict temperature ranges.
Find below temperature ranges for produce goods.
produce products | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Lettuce | 0 to +2 | +32 to +36 |
Spinach | ||
Apples | ||
Grapes | ||
Apricots | ||
Cherries | ||
Plums | ||
Broccoli | ||
Cabbage | ||
Cauliflower |
PRODUCE PRODUCTS | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Cranberries | +3 | +38 to +40 |
Avocados |
PRODUCE PRODUCTS | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Green beans | + 4 to +7 | +40 to +45 |
Potatoes | ||
Sweet potatoes |
PRODUCE PRODUCTS | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Bananas | +7 to +10 | +45 to +50 |
Tomatoes | ||
Cucumbers | ||
Watermelon | ||
Ginger | +13 | +55 |
2. Plants and Florals
Generally speaking, about 33 degrees Fahrenheit is the standard for hauling plants and florals.
Failure to maintain the proper temperature, can result in wilting, browning, leaf or petal drop, or plant death.
Plants and florals | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Plants and florals | 0 to +2 | +33 to +35 |
Bulbs | +4 to +14 | +39 to +57 |
Cut flowers | +1 to +8 | +34 to +46 |
Plants in soil | 0 to +2 | +32 to +36 |
3. Pharmaceuticals
The FDA is very strict about temperature controls for the storage and transport of pharmaceuticals.
If the reefer trailer becomes too hot or too cold, that could reduce or eliminate the efficacy of medications, which may hurt someone's health.
The stabilized temperature must be confirmed with the pharmaceutical manufacturer and regulatory guidelines before shipment. Common temperature categories for pharmaceuticals may fall into one of these categories:
Pharmaceuticals | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Room temperature | +20 to +25 | +68 to +77 |
Refrigerated | +2 to +8 | +36 to + 46 |
Cryogenic | 0 to -150 | +32 to - 238 |
4. Meat, poultry, fish, dairy
Meat products are frozen to maintain their freshness during transportation.
One of the biggest concerns with transporting meat products is the growth of harmful bacteria.
Products | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Meat | +4 or below | +40 or below |
Poultry | +4 or below | +40 or below |
Fish (fresh) | +4 | +40 |
Fish (frozen) | -5 to -20 | +23 to -4 |
Cheese | 1 to +4 | +34 to +40 |
5. Ice Cream
Generally, the transportation temperature standard for ice cream is -10C. But, in rare cases, ice cream may require a colder transportation temperature of -20C to keep it frozen.
Product | ° C | ° F |
|---|---|---|
Ice cream | -10 to -20 | 14 to -4 |
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