Freshpac in the Food & Beverage Industry: Ensuring Freshness from Production to Plate

If you’re in the fresh or frozen food industry, you realise how important it is to provide your customers with high quality and optimally fresh food. Imagine being a local butcher who prides himself on providing the freshest cuts to his loyal customers. You source your meat from a trusted supplier, but during the summer months, you face many challenges with spoilage due to inadequate cooling during transport.  One day, you saw an ad guaranteeing ice packs lasting longer during transportation and you decided to try it, and guess what? After switching to Freshpac’s solutions, you notice a significant difference. The meat arrived cooler and fresher, which not only satisfied your customers but also reduced your wastage and increased profits. This is everyone’s dream situation, isn’t it? 

Maintaining product integrity from production to plate is paramount. In the UK alone, Kantar data shows that frozen food retail sales were worth £8.5bn during the 52 weeks to 17 March 2024, which represented a year-on-year increase of 11.8% With the demand for fresh and frozen, high-quality food products on the rise, the need for reliable temperature-controlled solutions in the supply chain has never been greater. Hydropac’s Freshpac packaging solutions play a crucial role in ensuring that products like meat and seafood remain fresh during transportation, ultimately safeguarding their quality and taste.  

 

The Importance of Temperature Control in the Food & Beverage Industry

Temperature control is essential in the food and beverage industry to prevent spoilage, maintain quality, and ensure food safety. Perishable goods require precise temperature management to stay fresh and safe for consumption. Failure to maintain appropriate temperatures can lead to bacterial growth, spoilage, and a loss of nutritional value, which can harm consumers. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, which amounts to 1.3 billion tons per year. One of the primary causes of this waste is the lack of proper temperature control during storage and transportation. Implementing effective temperature-controlled packaging solutions is a critical step in reducing food waste and ensuring that consumers receive fresh, safe products. 

 

Freshpac’s Temperature-Controlled Solutions

Freshpac by Hydropac offers a range of innovative, eco-friendly packaging solutions designed to maintain the freshness and quality of food products during transit. These solutions include: 

  • Printed Cardboard Boxes: Sustainable and customisable, these boxes are ideal for branding and provide robust protection for perishable goods. 
  • Recycle Air Sealed Insulated Liners: These liners offer superior insulation, keeping products at the desired temperature throughout transportation. 
  • Water-Filled Ice Packs: A sustainable alternative to traditional gel packs, these ice packs help maintain a consistent temperature, ensuring that products remain fresh and safe. 

 

Case Study: Whitfish Ltd.

Whitfish Ltd., a seafood supplier committed to sustainability, has been using Hydropac’s solutions since their relaunch in October 2023. Whitfish Ltd. opted for Hydropac’s Recycle Air sealed insulated liners, and water-filled ice packs as their packaging solution. This choice not only aligns with their sustainability goals but also ensures that their fresh fish arrives dry and protected.

 

Testimonial from Whitfish Ltd.

“Hydropac has been an integral partner for us since our relaunch in October 2023, and even during our previous iteration for over two years. Our commitment to sustainability led us to choose their printed cardboard boxes, Recycle Air sealed insulated liners, and water-filled ice packs as our packaging solution. This not only provides our customers with fully recyclable packaging but also ensures that our fresh fish arrives dry and protected.

What sets Hydropac apart is their exceptional customer service. They consistently strive to provide us with problem-solving solutions at record speed. We are incredibly grateful for the bespoke and friendly service they offer. Their products are second to none in our industry, offering unparalleled recyclability and ease of use.

Thanks to Hydropac solutions, we can keep our fresh fish below 8°C for the 36 hours required to ensure our produce arrives in perfect condition every time.”

 

Specific Use Cases: Meat and Seafood Transportation

Meat Transportation

Transporting meat products requires stringent temperature control to prevent spoilage and ensure food safety. Meat must be kept at temperatures below 5°C to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Freshpac’s temperature-controlled solutions provide the ideal environment for transporting meat products, maintaining a consistent temperature and protecting against external temperature fluctuations. 

Benefits for Meat Transportation: 
  • Extended Shelf Life: By maintaining the appropriate temperature, Freshpac’s solutions help extend the shelf life of meat products, reducing waste and ensuring that consumers receive fresh, high-quality products. 
  • Enhanced Food Safety: Proper temperature control reduces the risk of bacterial growth, protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses. 
  • Maintained Quality: Freshpac’s solutions help preserve the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of meat products, ensuring a premium eating experience. 

 

Seafood Transportation

Seafood is highly perishable and requires precise temperature control to maintain its freshness and safety. Seafood must be kept at temperatures below 2°C to prevent spoilage and ensure food safety. Freshpac’s Recycle Air sealed insulated liners and water-filled ice packs create the perfect environment for transporting seafood, keeping it fresh and safe for consumption. 

Benefits for Seafood Transportation: 
  • Preserved Freshness: Freshpac’s solutions help maintain the freshness of seafood, preserving its delicate flavour and texture. 
  • Reduced Waste: By ensuring that seafood products arrive at their destination in perfect condition, Freshpac’s solutions help reduce waste and increase profitability for suppliers. 
  • Sustainability: Using eco-friendly packaging materials, Freshpac supports sustainable practices in the seafood industry. 

 

Advantages and Necessity of Maintaining Product Integrity

Maintaining product integrity is crucial for several reasons, including food safety, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation. Using Freshpac’s temperature-controlled solutions offers numerous advantages: 

Food Safety: Proper temperature control prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, ensuring that food products are safe for consumption. 

Customer Satisfaction: Delivering fresh, high-quality products enhances customer satisfaction and fosters loyalty. 

Brand Reputation: Consistently providing safe, high-quality products helps build a strong brand reputation and differentiate from competitors. 

Regulatory Compliance: Meeting temperature control requirements ensures compliance with food safety regulations, avoiding potential fines and legal issues. 

Sustainability: Freshpac’s eco-friendly packaging solutions support sustainable practices, reducing environmental impact and appealing to eco-conscious consumers. 

 

The Role of Supplier and Partner Reliability

Choosing reliable suppliers and logistics partners is essential for maintaining the quality and safety of temperature-sensitive food products. Hydropac’s proven track record and commitment to excellence make them an ideal partner for food and beverage businesses. 

 

Key Considerations for Choosing Suppliers and Partners:

  • Reputation and Track Record: Select suppliers with a history of maintaining temperature-controlled environments and delivering high-quality products. 
  • Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Establish clear SLAs to ensure accountability and performance standards, protecting your business from potential disruptions. 
  • Customer Service: Choose partners who offer exceptional customer service and are willing to go the extra mile to meet your needs. 

Hydropac’s Freshpac temperature-controlled solutions provide the perfect environment for transporting perishable goods like meat and seafood, ensuring that they remain fresh and safe for consumption.  

Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service sets us apart in the industry. By partnering with Hydropac, food and beverage businesses can confidently navigate the challenges of temperature-sensitive transportation and deliver fresh, high-quality products to their customers every time. 

Written by:

Rebecca

Hailstone

Knowledgebase Ice Packs branche