With busy people worldwide attempting to eat better, the perishable food market is expected to continue growing and reach over $150 billion by 2028. Fresh, unpackaged fruits and vegetables, as well as prepared perishable goods like cut fruits and vegetables, cheese, seafood, cold cuts, salads, and meat are highly sensitive to temperature, humidity, and air circulation. Improper management of these factors can lead to spoilage and waste. Maintaining food quality in storage is essential for customer satisfaction, impulse buying, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance.

Fortunately, advancements in perishable control technology — such as automated temperature and humidity systems, smart sensors, and integrated monitoring solutions — are making it easier to keep food fresh. In this post, we’ll explore the key factors that impact food quality, highlight new technological solutions, and share best practices for using these tools to ensure consistently high-quality products.

7 Key Factors Influencing Food Quality

Maintaining optimal food quality requires careful management of several environmental and operational factors. Each plays a vital role in preserving freshness, flavor, nutrients, and safety.

1. Temperature

Temperature is one of the most critical factors affecting food quality. Improper temperature control can lead to microbial growth, spoilage, and loss of nutritional value, particularly in highly perishable items like meat, cheese, and seafood. These products require strict adherence to temperature guidelines to prevent rapid deterioration.

For example, seafood requires near-freezing temperatures, while dairy products thrive in cool, stable environments. Automated temperature control systems are essential for maintaining consistent conditions and ensuring food safety. Prodew’s FogMist Bar and FogMist Block can also help with temperature control through evaporative cooling, While this is not a replacement for refrigeration, it will help lower the temperature.

2. Humidity

Humidity levels are equally important in preserving the texture and freshness of perishable goods. High humidity prevents dehydration and helps maintain the quality of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meats by reducing moisture loss. Conversely, lower humidity is better for dry goods like grains and flour, where excess moisture can lead to mold growth.

Prodew’s FogMist Bar for produce departments and open seafood display, FogMist Block for closed meat and seafood cases, and Aguatronics for storage offer innovative humidity management solutions tailored to different food types, ensuring the right balance is maintained in every environment.

3. Air Circulation

Proper air circulation is critical to ensure even cooling or heating throughout storage spaces. Poor airflow can result in hot or cold spots, leading to uneven spoilage or compromised quality.

For instance, areas with insufficient air circulation may allow certain products to overheat or freeze, which can damage their texture, flavor, and shelf life. Efficient airflow systems ensure consistent temperatures and humidity, reducing the risk of product loss.

4. Light Exposure

Excessive light exposure can degrade certain foods, particularly those high in vitamins or fats. For example, light can break down the nutrients in dairy products, oils, and packaged perishable foods, reducing their quality and nutritional value. Light-sensitive items like cheese and oils benefit from low-light or controlled lighting environments. By managing light exposure, businesses can ensure these products retain their intended quality.

5. Ethylene Gas Control

Fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas during the ripening process. While this is a natural occurrence, unmanaged ethylene levels can accelerate ripening and spoilage in nearby produce. Managing ethylene gas in storage areas is essential to prolong the freshness of fruits and vegetables. ClensAir devices effectively capture and reduce ethylene levels, slowing ripening and extending shelf life, especially in produce storage facilities.

6. Packaging

The type and quality of packaging play a major role in protecting food from moisture, air, and contaminants. Vacuum sealing and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) are popular techniques for extending shelf life and preserving product freshness. These methods create protective barriers that limit oxygen exposure and inhibit bacterial growth, ensuring products stay fresh longer.

7. Contamination Control

Clean storage environments and display surfaces are essential to maintaining food quality and safety. Contamination from pests, mold, or bacteria can compromise entire shipments or batches, resulting in costly losses and potential health risks. Regular cleaning, continuous food-safe disinfection, pest management, and compliance with hygiene standards help prevent contamination and ensure safe storage and display conditions.

By focusing on these key factors, businesses can minimize waste, enhance product quality, and meet the high standards required in today’s food industry. Advanced solutions, such as Prodew’s innovative technologies, including FogMist Bar, FogMist Block, Aguatronics, and ClensAir, are designed to address these challenges and provide effective tools for maintaining optimal food storage conditions.

Leveraging Technology for Better Control

92% of grocers expect to use more in-store technology over the next three years. The latest perishable control technologies are game-changers for the food industry, offering real-time monitoring, automation, and predictive insights.

IoT-Enabled Temperature and Humidity Sensors

Internet of Things (IoT) sensors continuously monitor and track temperature and humidity levels in real-time. They provide alerts if conditions deviate from set parameters, enabling swift action to prevent spoilage and ensure optimal conditions for perishable goods.

Automated Climate Control Systems

These systems integrate temperature, humidity, and air circulation management into a single, automated unit. They can adjust conditions based on real-time data and are particularly useful in large storage areas, allowing precise environmental control for different zones. Prodew’s Aguatronics is compatible with most automatic climate control systems to allow optimal humidity monitoring.

Ethylene Gas Control Technology

Ethylene control devices, such as scrubbers or filters, are designed to capture and reduce ethylene gas levels in storage areas. This technology, available in ClensAir, is especially helpful in produce storage, as it slows down ripening and helps extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Best Practices for Technology Use

Implementing advanced perishable control technologies is just the beginning. To maximize their benefits, businesses should follow these best practices:

1. Set Up Alerts

Real-time notifications are crucial for maintaining consistent storage conditions. Configure sensors and monitoring systems to alert staff immediately when temperature, humidity, or other critical factors deviate from ideal levels. Quick responses can prevent spoilage and reduce waste.

2. Analyze Trends

IoT sensors collect valuable data over time. Regularly review this data to identify recurring issues, such as temperature fluctuations or equipment malfunctions. Analyzing trends can help optimize settings, streamline operations, and improve overall storage efficiency.

3. Ensure Backup Power

Power outages can compromise storage conditions within minutes, leading to significant losses. Install backup generators or uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems to keep climate control and monitoring technologies operational during emergencies.

4. Customize for Food Types

Different food categories have unique storage requirements. For example, leafy greens thrive in high humidity, while dairy products require lower temperatures. Tailor climate settings to match the needs of each product to ensure maximum freshness and quality.

5. Conduct Audits

Periodic audits are essential for maintaining high standards. Evaluate storage conditions, technology performance, and compliance with safety regulations. Use these reviews to identify gaps, address inefficiencies, and refine processes for better results.

By adopting these practices, businesses can fully leverage perishable control technologies to protect their products, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.

How Prodew Solutions Make a Difference

Prodew’s advanced solutions, such as FogMist, ClensAir, and Aguatronics, are designed to address the unique challenges of food storage. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Prodew helps businesses maintain optimal conditions, reduce waste, and deliver consistently high-quality products.

Contact our experts to discover how Prodew solutions can help you maintain the quality of your food products.

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