Three Tips for Mailing Perishable, Refrigerated Foods

Whether you own a business and hope to ship out refrigerated foods or you're a caring parent sending homemade goodies to your child, putting perishables in the mail can be a bit nerve wracking. How can you guarantee they'll make it all of the way there without being exposed to unsafe temperatures, leading to spoilage? Here are some tips to help.

Purchase specialized mailing containers.

There are special mailing containers made solely for the purpose of shipping refrigerated goods. They're typically made from Styrofoam, which is a much better insulator than cardboard. This will keep the heat out if the package ends up sitting in a hot trunk or warehouse for a few hours. Some such containers are made from Styrofoam but covered in a layer of cardboard on the outside -- these are actually ideal since they're harder to pierce than those made from Styrofoam alone.

Some specialized mailing containers even have separate sections for your perishable item and for ice packs. These are an ideal choice if the item you're shipping is fragile and you worry that it will be crushed by the ice.

Opt for dry ice.

Even if you're over-nighting the package, it's always best to opt for dry ice over a traditional ice pack. A traditional ice pack may melt too quickly, and your package would not be the first one to be delayed by a day or two. You would not want a delay to mean spoiled food. If you're struggling to find dry ice in your area, check at a local shipping center or your post office. Always put the dry ice in a separate compartment from the food or put a layer of cardboard between it and the food. This way, it won't freeze your food -- just keep it cool.

Don't ship on a weekend.

If you ship the package out on Thursday or Friday, there's a greater chance it will spend a weekend sitting in a hot warehouse. Put it in the mail on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday so that it travels to your recipient more swiftly. Even though the dry ice will typically last through a weekend, you don't want your food to be stale when it arrives.

With an insulated mailing container, some dry ice, and the right schedule, your perishable items should arrive to their destination in delicious, edible condition. Talk to a mailing container company to learn more.