How Modern Freezers and Chillers Improve Food Safety in the Cold Chain

Those unfamiliar with industrial freezers and chillers will be surprised about the many aspects today’s designs bring to the food processing plant. From electronic sensors to remote access and maintenance, today’s technologies answer the call for improved food safety measures, both upstream and down.

Food Logistics chats with Greg Sheridan, sales manager for FPS Food Process Solutions Corp., to talk about freezers and chillers in the cold food space, what to consider when installing new equipment and what companies should be mindful of going forward.

Food Logistics: What kinds of food safety

advantages do freezers and chillers bring to the cold food space?

Greg Sheridan: The No. 1 cause of food spoilage is microbial activity. This type of activity is most active in the “danger zone” between 40°F-140°F where bacteria growth is exponentially higher in food processing operations. Chillers and freezers use engineered air flow at lower temperatures than normally used for storage to quickly strip heat from food, bringing it down to safe and even temperatures. By quickly bringing processed food down to temperatures lower than 40°F, this type of microbial activity is reduced or even stopped. Eliminating microbial activity not only prolongs the shelf life of food, but also limits the growth of harmful microbials.

Food Logistics: What are some things to

consider when installing or upgrading freezers and chillers?

Sheridan: People unfamiliar with industrial freezers and chillers are often surprised about the many aspects of this type of equipment. More often than not, the equipment itself is larger than anticipated, so space can be a concern. Upfront costs for procuring the freezing or chilling equipment can be higher than expected, but the costs for other associated equipment such as compressors are often a surprise. People are used to buying a refrigerator or freezer and just plugging it in as a self-contained unit. Industrial freezers aren’t as simple and generally require a separate refrigeration room built to house all the associated components. When upgrading existing facilities, they also need to consider how to remove old equipment and bring in the new. Equipment configurations and sizing is often different from existing units. There are usually changes to refrigeration piping, electrical panels and plant structure that also brings significant costs associated with them.

FPS Food Process Solutions Corp.

Different types of freezers and chillers for different types of food products will require varying levels of maintenance and cleaning to keep in top shape.

Food Logistics: What should companies be

mindful of when it comes to maintaining freezers and chillers?

Sheridan: Different types of freezers and chillers for different types of food products will require varying levels of maintenance and cleaning to keep in top shape. Today’s modern equipment are engineered to minimize hard-to-clean spaces. These designs also reduce maintenance needs usually associated with older designed freezers and chillers. That being said, customers do have to learn that, like any equipment, it will perform better when properly operated and maintained.

Customers need to learn how their equipment runs over time and observe all the little things. Generally, running a freezer within the specifications should require a minimum amount of maintenance particularly when most electrical components are placed outside the unit. By running a freezer beyond its design specifications or not cleaning or maintaining it can be very detrimental to freezer performance. It can also lead to product loss due to mechanical failure or food contamination. Food Logistics: What kinds of technologies/

solutions do some of today’s freezers and chillers offer?

Sheridan: With the modernization of electronics, the controls side of freezing and chilling equipment has also advanced. Equipment now gives more feedback than ever before on motor operation and other sensors. This data is able to provide information, including operating optimization and capturing specific errors that was previously unavailable not long ago. Go to foodl.me/ynl38z to read this interview in its entirety.