Customer Information
REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURE SETTINGS CAN BE MISLEADING
We have recently conducted a review of the refrigeration of our products to ensure that they reach your customers in excellent condition. The keeping characteristics of fresh milk are very sensitive to temperature and therefore it is important that it is monitored and managed throughout its delivery to ensure your customers receive the ideal product.
We have upgraded our site refrigeration units using state of the art refrigeration technology and have also introduced new vehicles with more powerful refrigeration units and enhanced body insulation. These lorries are fitted with digital temperature monitors to ensure the milk products are transported from our cold rooms to your store at the correct temperature.
Our in-store review has highlighted a problem with store refrigerators, which may often provide misleading temperature information. Refrigerators perform more efficiently and accurately if they are serviced and calibrated on a regular basis. However, even with the recommended service regime it is important to be aware that the temperature reading on the refrigerator operates on a thermostat. Consequently, the temperature of a regularly serviced refrigerator will be maintained accurately near the sensor, but often is surprisingly different away from the sensor.
Our research has found that products held in large refrigerator units can be maintained at significantly different temperatures depending on their position within the refrigerator. In a large refrigerator temperature gauge readings may show below 4°C, however, the temperature of the products in certain parts of the refrigerator may be as high as 10°C, cycling between 4°C and 10°C because of the operation of the thermostat.
Fresh milk deteriorates very quickly at temperatures above 5°C and should be stored ideally at 2-3°C. It is therefore important to regularly temperature probe the liquid milk within it's container to ensure that the milk is continually being stored below 5°C.
Temperature variations are particularly pronounced in large open bay refrigerators that are more influenced by the air temperature surrounding them. Although this type of refrigerator often provides the best presentation of milk products it should be appropriately managed to ensure that the quality of the products lives up to its presentation.
Our recent review of the milk chill chain has highlighted some useful best practice ideas from our customers, some of which you may find of interest and are given as follows:
MILK REFRIGERATION - BEST PRACTICE
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Review the refrigerator position to ensure it is not adjacent to a high temperature source e.g. Heater, bake-off oven, direct sunlight etc. |
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Ensure refrigerators are regularly serviced and temperature readings re-calibrated (see manufacturer's instructions) |
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On delivery of milk products ensure they are placed in a refrigerator as soon as possible. Store temperatures are often at 15-20°C which is well above fresh milk's optimum holding temperature. |
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Probe the liquid milk temperature within it's container and do not rely on the refrigerator temperature gauge. You will then be able to calibrate the milk temperature against the refrigerator gauge reading. N.B. Be aware that the refrigerator is thermostatically controlled and will cycle through a temperature range with the gauge reading being the lowest temperature at the sensor point. |
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We recommend that you temperature probe the liquid milk within it's container twice daily so that changes in external air temperatures or refrigerator performance can be adjusted for immediately. |
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Rotate the milk in a refrigerator regularly so that the milk with the least date is to the front. Please note that customers may try to take the most recent milk from the back of the refrigerator.
Aim to hold 1¼ - 1½ days milk in the store following a delivery. This will ensure that the milk maintains the maximum date before sale. This should be possible as our van sales operation enables you to flex your milk orders without notice. |
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Accurate temperature probes can be obtained for approx. £20-£40.
For any further information contact:
Gideon Bishop on 01725 514330 |
