Storage an​d Transport

During storage and transport it is important to prevent contamination of produce and manage temperature and humidity to maintain produce quality and minimize pathogen growth.

To prevent contamination:
  • Clean and sanitize storage areas and transport vehicles regularly
  • Keep produce containers off the floor, on pallets or shelves
  • Separate hazardous chemicals from produce 
  • Keep pests out: monitor for pests and control if necessary
 To maintain produce quality:
  • Set temperature in storage at recommended levels for the product 
  • Keep relative humidity at recommended levels for the product​
  • Monitor temperature and relative humidity 
  • Control temperature during transport 
The resources below provide more information about storing and transporting produce. Use the information to learn about the risks, assess an operation, and identify changes that will reduce risk.
 

 Resources

 
Title
  
Link
  
Institution or Agency
  
collapse : :  ‎(4)
  
Cornell University
  
LinkKansas State University
  
LinkCornell
  
pdfPurdue University
collapse : : Equipment ‎(1)
  
http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/index4.htmUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
collapse : : Facility Design ‎(2)
  
http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/tipsheets_pdf/shed4web.pdfUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
  
http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/tipsheets_pdf/sales4web.pdfUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
collapse : : Home Storage and Handling ‎(1)
  
www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm114299.htmFDA
collapse : : Pathogens ‎(1)
  
LinkIndiana State Dept. of Health
collapse : : Postharvest General ‎(2)
  
https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/fruitveg/Pages/harvest.aspxPurdue University
  
http://postharvest.ifas.ufl.edu/University of Florida
collapse : : Sanitation ‎(1)
  
Basic Elements of Equipment Cleaning and Sanitizing in Food Processing and Handling OperationsUniv. of Florida
collapse : : Std. Operating Procedures ‎(1)
  
pdfIndiana State Dept. of Health
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