Data Loggers: Secure Safe Transport for Your Perishable Products
Product recalls and safety-related issues are challenging, from profit loss to potential harm to an organization’s reputation. Manufacturers, distributors, and end-users can avoid these issues using digital data loggers (DDLs). Here’s how data loggers can help with product recalls and other safety-related issues.
Key Takeaways:
- DDLs can quickly notice problems before they become safety issues.
- Versatility and ease of access make managing environmental and transportation risks simple.
- DDLs help maintain regulatory compliance, providing added peace of mind that you’re operating safely.
According to the Public Interest Network, more than 270 food and beverages were recalled in 2021 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These organizations primarily used data loggers to determine if the food was safe for the public.
Considering the complexities of the supply chain link, digital data loggers can streamline the whole process. Thanks to their versatility and ease of access, these devices can quickly notice problems before they become safety concerns.
What are data loggers, and how can they help?
Data loggers are electronic devices that collect and record data over time about environmental conditions. They can measure various variables, such as temperature, humidity, and pressure, and are commonly used by laboratories, food manufacturers, hospitals, blood banks, and more.
In the food industry, data loggers monitor and record food products’ temperatures during transportation, storage, and processing. This is crucial since foods require specific temperature ranges to ensure their safety and quality.
Suppose a food product is recalled due to spoilage or contamination. In that case, data loggers can help identify the root cause of the problem by providing detailed information on the temperature conditions the product was exposed to. Data loggers are reliable food safety devices that can prevent cases of product recalls from happening in the first place.
The following are more benefits of data loggers and how they prevent product recalls and safety-related issues:
- Accurate data collection: Data loggers can accurately measure and record data regularly, providing continuous information on food safety parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pH levels. This data can be easily analyzed to detect any safety-related issues before they become critical.
- Continuous monitoring: Data loggers continuously monitor food safety parameters, ensuring food products are always within safe ranges. This helps prevent contamination, spoilage, and other safety-related issues.
- Cost-effective: Using data loggers for food safety monitoring can be cost-effective, as they can automate data collection and analysis, reducing labor costs associated with manual tracking.
- Regulatory compliance: Data loggers can help food manufacturers comply with regulatory standards, such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system.
- Improved product quality: Consistent monitoring of food safety parameters using data loggers can help improve product quality and customer satisfaction. As a result, customers are more likely to be loyal to the brand.
Applications of data loggers in food safety
The benefits of data loggers are evident, but how are they used in the food and agriculture industry? Below are some of the primary food safety applications of data loggers.
- Monitoring food preparation processes: Restaurants and food processing industries use data loggers to ensure they cook food at the proper temperatures and other environmental parameters. This reduces the risk of contamination.
- Cold chain monitoring: Food products requiring refrigeration should be maintained at specific temperatures, especially during transportation. While many companies use special transportation boxes like the CoolBoxus Validated Shipping Boxes, they also use data loggers to ensure the food remains within the required temperatures.
- pH monitoring: The growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that cause food spoilage and contamination can be influenced by pH levels. Therefore, data loggers can monitor pH levels in food products during production and storage.
These benefits are excellent, but what type of data logger should your business consider investing in? That will depend on your business needs.
Types of data loggers
Various types of data loggers are available, each designed to monitor and record different parameters. Below are some common types of data loggers:
1. Temperature Loggers
Temperature loggers monitor and record the temperature of food products during storage, transportation, and processing. They are essential in ensuring food products are stored and transported within the required temperature range to prevent spoilage and contamination.
For example, the 2c\temp from Marathon Products is one of the best temperature data loggers to monitor food storage and ensure safety.
2. Pressure loggers
These loggers monitor and record pressure levels in food processing equipment, such as sterilizers and pasteurizers, to ensure they function correctly and effectively.
3. Humidity loggers
Humidity loggers monitor and record the humidity levels in food storage and processing facilities. Maintaining appropriate humidity levels is essential for preventing mold and bacteria growth.
Some temperature loggers like the 3C\TEMP-RH Temperature and Humidity Logger also monitor humidity. These multipurpose loggers are ideal for food safety monitoring as they eliminate the need for multiple devices.
4. pH loggers
These loggers monitor and record the pH levels of food products during processing and storage. Proper pH levels are essential for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.
Using data loggers is a crucial way to ensure food safety and eliminate cases of product recalls. Apart from simply monitoring environmental conditions, you can prevent potential problems. But you don’t want to use just any other device. You need suitable data loggers from reliable providers like Marathon Products.
Ensure product safety and avoid recalls with Marathon Products
Marathon Products has been a leading provider of high-quality data loggers for over 30 years, and our commitment to quality is unmatched. With a wide range of products designed for various applications, our data loggers are trusted by businesses and organizations worldwide.
Using Marathon Products data loggers can enhance quality control, ensure regulatory compliance, and minimize the risk of product recalls and other safety-related issues.
Don’t take risks with food product safety. Contact us today and learn which data loggers work best with your products and more about what we can do for you.