As ice melts during seafood transport, the water that contacts the product and the package condition need attention too. Recording only vehicle air or the visible amount of ice does not give enough information about the product and drainage.
Record the starting condition at loading
Add lot identity, catch or production information, loading time, product temperature and ice condition to the dispatch record. Use a measurement method suited to the product form and specification; do not treat one randomly chosen reading as representative of the whole load.
Keep meltwater away from the product
Check that water is not pooling in the inner tray or package, that drainage is clear and that water cannot flow onto other loads when the container is closed. Test cleanable surfaces and drainage with the actual load when selecting a transport container.
Complete the record at delivery
Match arrival time, temperature reading, remaining ice, package damage and visible deviations to the starting record. Decide food safety or saleability using current product information, applicable official rules and an authorised specialist's assessment.
