Refrigerated Truckers to Face New Food Safety Rules

I work for a grocery distributor and they have been "gently reminding us" to document the reefer temperatures on our trip sheets for each stop and backhaul. Not sure if it's related to the article or not, I'll ask a few questions on Monday.

 

So basically they are going to write regulations to mandate, what my customers and company already do.


My reefer is making the appropriate roar right now in response.

 

I've been pulling reefer for over 4 years. I have always gotten the trailer washed out after every load. My previous and current company pays for the washout, so, no excuse not to do a washout.

My previous and current company has check call requirements in place. Twice a day over the QC and must also do verbal check call with dispatch for produce loads. Even have to take pulp temp of every pallet of produce before it goes on the trailer. If shipper doesn't allow driver on dock, it is reported back to dispatch where they note it in the system.

Pre coolling a trailer should be a given. But, I have seen reefer drivers pull into shippers with the reefer off. They are the ones that complain about not getting loaded because they have to wait til their trailer reaches a certain temp. Some places won't even let you get through the gate if your trailer is not per cooled. I have always pre cooled my trailer to the needed temp. If the temp is not on my dispatch, then I call the customer and ask. The only time I don't pre cool if the place I am going to is a drop and hook (Tyson, JBS).

Other than some extra training paperwork, I don't see this affecting my operation much.

 

We just had a list of new regulations regarding chain of custody on reefer temps that got to be related to this.will take effect April 4

 

Really the FDA wants to monitor it??? Aren't they the ones who just allowed companies to not have to tell where our meat comes from?? Double standards I guess.

 

We don't have to do check calls, but they know what the loads call for and they (Dispatch) get alerts on the computer if it's off.
Either it goes through QC or the Trailers have their own sending units.

I always pre cool.
Pretty silly really. Precool then they take hours to load, by that time it's way off anyway.

Washouts whenever I can.

 

More useless garbage to make money off of. And force more Americans out of a job and on welfare. I Always washed put the trailer after every load. Temperature tracking??? Isn't that why they put the temp recorders on the load for.... Food training for drivers???? Criminal prosecution???? Don't know any drivers who would tamper with food. I would be more concerned about the temp companies doing the unloading. Far easier for a unhappy lumper looking to seek revenge against the warehouse,temp company or driver. Took easy for them to tamper with a case of food from a load and get away with it. Then a driver.

 

Most Food Companies require clean trailers before loading, well @ least the ones I have pulled for. And why would a driver not get a trailer wash out ?