If you have 99 problems, food storage doesn’t need to be one of them. Food safety rules are very clear, yet many people find it difficult to follow them. Cambro products are designed with food safety and efficiency in mind; we want to make it easy for you to keep your food and customers safe. We found 7 of the most common food storage problems and the Cambro products that solve them.
1. Temperature control
Maintaining proper temperature is crucial for food safety. Inadequate refrigeration or freezing can lead to bacterial growth, spoilage or foodborne illnesses. Hold condiments, creamers and dressing cold without messy, melting ice with ColdFest®. Freeze ColdFest pans upside down for eight hours and fill with pre-chilled product to keep everything cold for at least 6 hours in a 1/6 size pan and 8 hours in 1/2 & 1/3 size pans.
When it comes to temperature maintenance during transport, Cambro is the OG. From front loading food pan carriers to carts that hold everything from pizza boxes to sheet pans, there is a Cambro insulated transport unit to fit your needs; every unit—even our lightweight Cam GoBoxes® —keep food at the ideal temperature for at least 4 hours.
2. Cross-contamination
Cross-contamination occurs when harmful microorganisms, allergens, or foreign substances are transferred from one food to another, leading to foodborne illnesses or allergic reactions. It can happen through improper storage practices, such as storing raw food on top of cooked food, using plastic wrap instead of tight fitting lids or using contaminated utensils and equipment.
Cambro storage containers like Camwear® Pans and CamSquares® have a variety of lids available to suit different types of food. If you need to easily access ingredients, choose FlipLids®. If you need to travel and mitigate spills, choose GripLids®. A properly covered storage container not only decreases the changes of cross-contamination, but it also keeps food fresher!
3. Inadequate storage space
Limited storage space can lead to overcrowding, making it difficult to organize food items properly. This can result in inefficient stock rotation, difficulty locating items and increased risk of spoilage or expiration of products. If you’re running out of space and you’re still storing your #10 cans on your shelving, the Ultimate #10 Can Rack will change your life. Four can racks on a single shelf can hold a whopping 32 cans! Plus, it’s First In, First Out design essentially eliminates the chances of a can getting lost and spoiling before it can be used.
If your storage areas are bursting at the seams, the Camshelving® Premium Series High Density Storage System could increase your storage capacity up to 50%. Anchored by two stationary units, our High Density Storage System uses a track of mobile units in between to easily navigate between aisles.
4. Pest infestation
Insects, rodents, and other pests can contaminate food products, packaging and storage areas. They can cause physical damage, contaminate food with droppings or hairs and pose a health risk. Inadequate pest control measures can lead to product loss, damaged reputation, and regulatory issues. Ensure you’re regularly scheduling pest control and immediately transferring food from cardboard boxes when it arrives to ensure no freeloaders tagged along on the journey. Camwear Boxes are food safe, easy to stack and available with Camwear SlidingLids™ to keep pests out.
5. Inadequate labeling and rotation
Proper labeling and rotation of food products are essential for ensuring freshness and preventing spoilage. If items are not labeled correctly or rotated in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) manner, older products may be left unused and may become spoiled or expired. StoreSafe® Food Rotation Labels are biodegradable and dissolve in the dishwasher or under running water in less than 30 seconds. Finally, no more containers with sticky residue left behind!
6. Inefficient packaging
Inappropriate or inadequate packaging can lead to food spoilage, moisture loss or contamination. Packaging should be suitable for the specific food product, provide proper insulation and protect against physical and environmental factors.
Storing food in anything other than food grade storage containers is a major faux pas. While it may seem like a good idea to recycle them for another use, this is one time you’re doing more harm than good. Additives can transfer from the single use container to new food that’s held inside; that’s when foods start to take on flavors from previous contents.
7. Lack of proper sanitation practices
Failure to maintain cleanliness and sanitation in food storage areas can result in bacterial growth, cross-contamination and compromised food safety. Regular cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance of storage facilities and equipment are essential to prevent these issues.
Every Camshelving model features shelf plates that are protected with molded-in antimicrobial Camguard®. Microbes that cause disease or fermentation are found everywhere in the environment. To survive, microbes need to find a surface rich in nutrients to attach to. Camguard creates a protective barrier on your Camshelving to discourage this from happening. Plus, to make it even easier to keep your shelving clean, Camshelving shelf plates can be easily run through commercial dishwashers or wiped with a cloth.
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AUTHOR: ADRIANA DESIDERIO IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
