P.PIP.0580 - Temperature, shock and location tracking of chilled beef through international and domestic supply chains by air and sea

Summary

International and domestic shipments (n=162) were monitored in real time for temperature and other parameters to identify points along the transport chain that impact on product shelf-life and wholesomeness. This work highlights the benefits of real-time monitoring of product temperature and feedback of predicted shelf-life remaining for product on arrival at the destination.

Objectives

This project’s main objective was to collect and analyse time/temperature data to help improve distribution logistics and understand the impact of transport on product shelf-life.

Secondary objectives were:
• identify links within the cold chain that impact on shelf-life
• identify areas where changes can be made to supply chain management to improve product shelf-life
• quantify the benefits arising from the application of the approach.

Key findings

• Feedback of temperature history data to customers resulted in reduced claims relating to product wholesomeness.
• Temperature monitoring throughout transport allowed customers to identify problematic areas within their distribution system. Information was passed onto managers to reinforce the need for tighter temperature control and to implement corrective actions.
• Real-time logging has removed the issue of having to return loggers for analysis.
• While there is a financial benefit to mapping cold chains, the main benefit is in understanding the various customer cold chains and providing customers with confidence in the shelf-life of Processor A product.
• The attributed benefits are only realised when an issue occurs, for example pushing back on a local delivery company due to poor handling can save $25,000 per case.
• Export customers' claims varied between $125–$200,000. The occurrence of temperature abuse situations are random, on average industry reported savings on claims can be up to $600,000 per annum.
• Incorporation of the shelf-life model into the TIVE platform allowed Processor A to rapidly inform customers of the impact of cold chain management decisions on product shelf-life.

Benefits to industry

Real-time temperature monitoring in conjunction with shelf-life prediction will allow industry to discuss cold chain issues with customers, avoiding costly claims and providing customers with confidence in the shelf-life of product.

MLA action

Further adoption of the shelf-life model.

Future research

• Tive to setup a portal where customers can download logger data in real-time.
• Verification of the ability of the shelf-life model to accurately predict remaining shelf-life for mince and retail-ready packs.