How to Ship Food Products & Packaged Goods
Shipping food products — whether shelf-stable canned goods, snack foods, dry pasta, or packaged baked goods — operates under a stricter regulatory framework than most freight categories. The FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Sanitary Transportation Rule (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart O) requires that vehicles and equipment used to transport food are adequately cleaned, temperature conditions are maintained where required, and shippers document their transportation practices.
Even for non-temperature-sensitive products like canned goods or boxed cereals, food-grade trailer requirements apply. The trailer must be clean, free of residual odors from previous loads (no chemicals, fertilizer, or waste), and structurally sound with no holes, leaks, or pest access points. Carriers who haul food one day and industrial chemicals the next without proper washout procedures create contamination risk that can trigger FDA recalls.
Whether you're a food manufacturer shipping full truckloads to a distribution center or a specialty food company using LTL to reach regional retailers, understanding FSMA compliance, proper load planning, and food-grade carrier vetting will protect your products and your brand.
Equipment & Trailer Types Needed
Choosing the right trailer is the single most important decision in any shipment. Here's what works for this freight type and why.
Dry Van (Food-Grade)
Enclosed, clean, and odor-free trailer for shelf-stable food products — must meet FSMA sanitary transportation requirements with documentation of prior loads and washout records
Reefer Trailer
Temperature-controlled trailer for products requiring cool (35-45°F) or frozen environments — chocolate, certain baked goods, and products with 'store in cool, dry place' requirements
LTL Carrier (Food-Certified)
Smaller shipments (1-6 pallets) to individual retail locations, food service distributors, or co-packers — carrier must maintain food-grade terminal and handling procedures
Intermodal Container
Cost-effective for long-haul (1,000+ mile) full container loads of non-perishable packaged food where transit time of 5-7 days is acceptable
Packaging & Preparation Tips
- ✓Use corrugated cases rated for stacking strength — standard RSC boxes should withstand a minimum of 32 ECT (edge crush test) for palletized food shipments stacked 2-3 pallets high in transit
- ✓Stretch wrap pallets with a minimum of 60-gauge film and at least 3 full revolutions, anchoring the wrap to the pallet base to prevent load shifting during transit
- ✓Never ship food products on used pallets that previously carried chemicals, fertilizer, or treated lumber — GMA-spec pallets or new ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets are the standard
- ✓Include lot numbers and production dates on outer cases for traceability — FSMA requires the ability to trace food products one step forward and one step back in the supply chain
- ✓Layer slip sheets between pallet tiers to distribute weight and prevent case crushing — a 48x40 pallet of canned goods can weigh 2,500+ lbs and generates enormous top-load pressure
- ✓Seal all cases with food-safe tape and ensure no product is exposed or visible from the outside of the pallet — exposed food invites contamination, pest interest, and rejection at receiving
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using non-food-grade carriers to save money — one contamination incident from a dirty trailer can result in a full product recall costing 10-100x more than the freight savings
- ✗Not requesting or verifying the carrier's prior load history — FSMA requires shippers to ensure trailers are clean and suitable for food transport; you are responsible, not just the carrier
- ✗Shipping temperature-sensitive products (chocolate, certain snacks, vitamins) in dry vans during summer without temperature monitoring — interior trailer temps can exceed 140°F in direct sun
- ✗Failing to include SQF, BRC, or FSSC 22000 certification requirements in carrier vetting — major retailers (Walmart, Kroger, Costco) require proof of food-safe transportation practices from their suppliers
- ✗Over-stacking pallets beyond the case stacking limit — crushed cases at the bottom of a pallet result in product damage, retailer chargebacks, and potential food safety concerns
Cost Factors & Pricing Considerations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all food shipments require a reefer trailer?
No. Shelf-stable food products (canned goods, dry pasta, cereals, snack foods, bottled sauces) ship in food-grade dry vans. Reefer trailers are required only for temperature-sensitive products like dairy, meat, frozen foods, or items with label instructions specifying a temperature range. However, even shelf-stable products like chocolate or gummy candies may need reefer during summer months when dry van interior temps exceed 100°F.
What is the FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule?
The FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Sanitary Transportation Rule (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart O) requires shippers, carriers, and receivers of food to use sanitary practices during transportation. This includes ensuring vehicles are clean and safe for food, maintaining temperature controls where required, and documenting transportation conditions. Shippers who fail to comply risk FDA enforcement actions and product recalls.
How do I verify a carrier is food-grade certified?
Request the carrier's food-safety policy, washout procedures, and prior load documentation. Look for third-party certifications like SQF (Safe Quality Food), AIB International, or FSSC 22000 transportation modules. Check their FMCSA record for any food-safety related violations. Many major food companies use platforms like FourKites or Samsara to verify real-time trailer conditions.
What happens if a food shipment arrives in a contaminated trailer?
The receiving facility should reject the load immediately and document the contamination with photos and a written report. The shipper must notify their food safety team and may need to file an FDA Reportable Food Registry report depending on the contamination type. The carrier is liable for the freight value and may face FMCSA sanctions. All documentation should be retained for at least 3 years per FSMA requirements.
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