Guidelines to Storing Your Dairy Products in a Cold Store

 

Milk is known for its essential nutrients. Rich in calcium, protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and fats that the body needs, according to milk.co.uk, a glass of milk a day contributes to the recommended intake of many important nutrients for all age groups. However, in order to preserve its freshness and obtain these nutrients, milk should be properly packaged and stored.

 

Importance of Cold Stores for Milk Products

1. To avoid contaminated milk products

Milk is almost sterile for the first three to four hours after extraction from cows and other types of livestock that produce milk. The natural inhibitors in milk, like lactoferrin and lactoperoxide, prevent any significant rise in bacteria. However, it is not safe to drink at this point.

The need for milk can be found in almost every household around the world. Milk should be preserved correctly in cold storage facilities with a temperature of 4 ⁰C; the cold temperature helps retard bacterial growth, preserving the milk’s quality for human consumption.

2. To prevent financial loss

Temperatures above 4 ⁰C tend to spoil milk rapidly. Milk that has been exposed to high temperatures simply cannot be sold, resulting in major financial loss to suppliers and retailers alike.

Good sanitation is important as it can prevent milk from causing illnesses like food poisoning. Cold storage can increase the shelf life and improve the quality of dairy products but perhaps more importantly, companies won’t need to worry about supplying their customers with dairy products that aren’t fit for consumption.

 

Milk Storage Product Guide

The chart below demonstrates the recommended storage times and temperatures for milk and other dairy products:

 

1Cold offers cold store options for food manufacturing facilities. Our wide range of temperature controlled environments delivers value engineered solutions for different industries, including businesses that produce and handle dairy products.

Buyer’s Guide to Selecting the Right Cold Room for Commercial Use

Acquiring a cold room is not as easy as buying a refrigerator for domestic use; cold rooms are bigger and require stricter safety guidelines. Commonly used by some industries to store perishable goods, specimens or even equipment, you should be precise and attentive when deciding on the right cold room for your business.

Cold Room Buying Guidelines:

1. Identify your needs

Before actually consulting cold room specialists, you should initially determine the role of the cold room and how it will contribute to your day-to-day operations.

a. Nature of business

Industries require the use of cold rooms to preserve goods or as a part of the manufacturing process. Here are some of the establishments that use cold rooms:

• Grocery Stores
• Hospitals, Clinics and Medicine
• Science Laboratories and Research Centres
• Information Technology and Data Centres
• Electronics
• Food Processing or Food Manufacturing
• Restaurants and Kitchens
• Storage and Warehouses

b. Types of Cold Rooms

Not all businesses require the same cold room specifications. Here are the different types of cold rooms that are available on the market:

• Modular Cold room
• Combi Cold room
• Walk-in Cold room
• Industrial Cold Room
• Custom-Built Cold room

2. Align the specification with the operational requirements

The choice of a cold room should be fully aligned with your industry’s operational requirements. Measure how much space you have and compare it with your choice of cold room facility.

Decide how much storage space you will need; this will ensure that the cold room is used to its full potential and maximising space could save money in the long run.

3. Cold room scalability

Always assume that your business will develop and grow in the future. Ask the contractor whether the cold room can be extended or suitably sized to cope with current and anticipated storage requirements. Otherwise, it could prove to be very costly at a later date.

4. Examine the running costs

Consider the energy rating of the refrigeration system. If it has a high energy rating, it is likely to consume less energy.

5. After-sales service

Look for a cold room specialist that offers after sales support. That way, if the cold room malfunctions within or after a certain warranty period, you can rest assured that the supplier will be happy to assist you.

6. Consider testimonials from past clients

Customer reviews or feedback are important. Take the time to research and read testimonials from previous customers. It will give you a good idea of their experiences of specific contractors.

1Cold offers cold room options for a variety of temperature controlled environment requirements.

Tips on Storing and Handling Frozen Treats in Cold Storage

Frozen treats are perishable foods that should be treated with care; exposure to high temperatures will have an adverse effect on their texture and flavour characteristics. Frozen treats should be properly stored and handled by manufacturers, sellers and even consumers.

 

Types of Frozen Treats:

1. Ice Cream

Ice creams are made with milk, cream, sugar and egg yolks. They are churned at a fairly high speed to incorporate air and increase their volume. Generally smooth, light-textured and creamy they have a firmer texture.

 

2. Gelato

Made with sugar and with a higher proportion of milk and less of cream and eggs compared with ice cream, gelato is churned at a much slower rate so it is denser; this creates a silkier texture. It should be served at a slightly warmer temperature.

 

3. Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt or froyo is made with cultured milk combined with a sweetener. It has a lower fat content than ice cream and gelato.

 

4. Sorbet

Sorbet is low in calories and fat because it is made of fruit, juices, syrup and water. It is made by blending and freezing sweetened water with fruit puree.

 

Storage Guide:

1. Deep Chill

Frozen treats are best enjoyed when perfectly chilled; a temperature of between -5 ⁰F to 0 ⁰F is required to make them firm.

2. Keep the Temperature Consistent

Inconsistent or sudden changes in temperature may result in a grainy texture.

3. Store in the back of the Cold Store

To the rear and at the bottom part of the cold store has the lowest temperature. Keep frozen treats as far away from the door as possible; items stored near the door are more susceptible to temperature changes which could affect their quality.

4. Use Airtight Containers

Ice cream expert, Cary Frye, discovered a couple of things that happen when frozen treats are exposed to air: First, when frozen treats are exposed to higher temperatures and are then frozen again, this creates large crystals which feel coarse, icy and even colder in the mouth. Also, the evaporation of water at the surface level forms additional ice crystals. Oxygen reacts with the cold temperature causing dehydration.

In order to maintain the quality of your frozen treats, use an airtight container and place some cling film directly on top before replacing the lid.

5. Prevent Flavours from Mixing

Always separate flavours accordingly. Some flavours are richer in aroma and this might affect other varieties: Keep baking soda in your cold store to absorb any odours.

 

By applying these tips, manufacturers can assure rich flavours and creamy textured frozen treats. Cold store solutions for food manufacturing facilities are offered by 1Cold Ltd.

Tips on how to Keep your Refrigeration Systems Cool

To learn how to save cold room electricity costs, click here: http://bit.ly/1RPBM5W

Different Cold Room Storage Terms for Medicines

Image source: Wikipedia.org

Medicines play an important role in our lives, curing many ailments and sustaining different health requirements. The preservation of medicines and other health supplies would not be possible without proper storage solutions.

Accurate temperature control is paramount to maintain the effectiveness of medicines for future use, which is why medical agencies require cold rooms and other temperature controlled environments.

 

What will happen to medicines that are not stored within the required temperatures?

 

• Deterioration and ineffectiveness – chemical changes to medicines could make them unusable.

 

• Different illnesses or disorders – some medicines do not give recognisable clues when they break down. If a medicine that has deteriorated is taken unwittingly, the patient may experience discomfort or acquire other illnesses.

 

• Loss of investment – some medicines are not cheap. The right storage temperatures should be followed to maximise on the investment.

 

Understanding the common manufacturer’s terms for medicine storage

It is important to follow every recommended storage requirement for all medicinal products, for both industrial and commercial units. Here is some of the common medicine storage terms that should be understood:

·         Store at 2°-8°C (36°-46°F)

Some medical products can be very sensitive to heat but they should not be frozen either. “Inactivated” vaccines are most commonly stored at these temperatures. Exposing them to temperatures outside these parameters could lead to a decrease in their effectiveness.

 

·         Store frozen

Products such as “live” vaccines require storage temperatures ranging from -20°C to -10 °C as they will deteriorate quickly when they are removed from the freezer. “Live” vaccines are commonly used for diseases such as measles, mumps, rotavirus, etc.

 

·         Keep cool

Medicines and other medical products or supplies that are labelled “Keep Cool” should be stored between 8°-15°C (45°-59°F).

 

·         Store at ambient temperature

This term is not commonly used because of many variations in the surrounding temperatures. “Store at Ambient Temperature” also means to store medicines in normal conditions, with a room temperature ranging from 59°F to 77°F, depending on climate conditions.

 

·         Room temperature

Most medicines simply need to be stored at room temperature, which is between 15°-25°C (59°-77°F) but others are sensitive to extreme temperatures.

 

In general, medicines should always be kept in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and moisture. Different instruction terms should also be considered (and followed) at all times to maximise their effectiveness.

13 Terms Related to Cold Storage Facilities

Identifying Different Cold Room Components

Do you know how cold rooms are built? Here are eight components that 1Cold uses for completing their cold room facilities.

1. Drainage

Responsible for releasing condensate from cold rooms, the drainage system is created through a process. First, the projected position for the drainage will be marked out on the floor. Second, the floor will be excavated to make a channel. After that, the channel drain, pipes, reinforcement and gulley pots will be installed. Finally, the channel will be covered for safety purposes.

2. Concrete

1 Cold Ltd manages the mixing of materials and the application of concrete in the cold rooms. We ensure that the correct mixture is applied as it defines the durability and insulation of the cold room.

3. Steel Work

Fences, barriers and steel frames are needed to support the structure of the cold rooms. 1Cold Ltd creates stainless steel doors, railings and poles as well.

4. Composite Panels

1Cold Ltd provides various panels:

• ModularZone (Cold Rooms from Kingspan) – insulated panels from Kingspan that contain durable insulated roof, wall and front systems, these are commonly used in the food, IT, medical and research industries.
• ColdZone – this is utilised for long-term storage and the conservation of perishable goods. It is used to preserve their quality and nutritional value. The insulated panels have a temperature range of -40°C to 0°C.
• Eurobond Firemaster – it is made using metal facings attached to a dense structural mineral wool core. The panel strength is designed according to the European references for Sandwich Panels. It has prefabricated elements which are relatively cost-efficient.
• ChillZone – these are insulated panels for controlled environments, with a temperature range of 0°C to +5°C. Just like the ModularZone, it is also manufactured by Kingspan – a well-known provider of excellent firesafe insulated roof and wall structures.

5. Flooring

The flooring helps to provide insulation for cold rooms. The requirements vary depending on the type of construction. 1Cold Ltd creates suitable flooring according to the specific needs of the customer.

6. Dock Levellers

1Cold Ltd makes dock levellers for storage or docking areas. They are tough to withstand heavy loads.

7. Refrigeration

1Cold Ltd makes complete refrigeration facilities for cold rooms iuncluding the drainage, insulation and air circulation that are essential parts in cooling units.

8. Firewalls & Screens

Firewalls and screens prevent fire from spreading throughout the cold room. They can also help to avoid possible cold room damage.

Contact 1Cold Ltd on 01564 702 269 for more information.

1Cold’s Turnkey Solutions for Cold Room Facilities

1Cold Ltd. offers practical “turnkey solutions” for cold room facilities. These are the things that are involved in the installation process of cold rooms:

Project Management

1Cold Ltd. recognises that it is important to hear the unique preferences of every client. Only then can we proceed to design and construct the cold room facility to suit their requirements. With skilled and accommodating project managers that will help you to conceptualise, plan and identify your cold room needs, they will help you to prepare a draft of your cold room using the Microsoft Project Manager. This can assure the ideal cold room for your business or organisation.

Design

The company extends free design and consultation services to their clients like AutoCAD design, feasibility studies and site surveys. These services can help the customer to understand whether their cold room preferences will suit their location and budget. After the consultation, we will formulate the blueprint for your cold room and construction will begin.

Construction

We cater to all kinds of cold room constructions – new builds, extensions or refurbishments. Most of the cold rooms that we either construct or renovate are pharmaceutical chill stores, laboratories, fire rated enclosures, data centres and those from the food industry. Our installation services cater to drainage systems, floorings, steelwork, kerbs, external buildings, electrical work, refrigeration, ventilation, air-conditioning and panel systems.

1Cold also offers the following:

• Principal Contractor & CDM Services
• Factory Design & Building
• 3D Modelling & Colour Rendering
• Programming & Resource Planning
• Plantation Layout & Product Flow
• Design Planning
• Project Costing & Budgeting
• Refrigeration Design
• Service & Preventative Maintenance
• Consultation for Rental & Leasing

Looking for a reputable cold room provider? Please call 1Cold Ltd. on 01564 702 269 for a free cold room consultation.

Enumerating Different Types of Cold Rooms

Thinking about which type of cold room is ideal for your business? Refer to this list for some guidance:

1. Modular Cold Room

This type of cold room is commonly used in the food industry. The panels and insulation materials used in this type of cold room are safe for food and are easy to clean. Modular cold rooms are commercial sized cold rooms that come in flat pack format and can be installed easily. They can freeze at any temperature range. Aside from food products, modular cold rooms are also used for non-edible but decaying products like chemical, medical goods and organic products like flowers and seeds.

2. Combi Cold Room

Combi (Combination) cold rooms have separate internal temperature zones. One is a chiller (between 2 and 12C) and the other is a freezer (down to -22C). Usually, the cold room access door leads into the warmer room (usually the chiller zone). Inside the cold room is another door that leads into the freezer. This type of cold room is ideal for various products that require different temperature ranges including food and pharmaceutical products.

3. Walk-in Cold Room

As the name suggests, this type enables you to walk right into the cold room. It can be a combi cold room or a modular cold room. This type of cold room is commonly used when the amount of products to be stored exceeds the capacity of the cabinet-sized chillers. 1Cold Ltd specialise in this kind of cold room because it requires design and construction expertise.

4. Industrial Chillers

This type of cold room caters to numerous and bulky products. Aside from people, vehicles like forklift trucks can also enter into an industrial chiller. This type of cold room is ideal for ice factories and other big industries. 1Cold Ltd also builds industrial chillers, offering free consultations, free AutoCAD design, free feasibility studies and free site surveys for interested parties.

5. Custom-built Cold Room

Some businesses prefer a custom-built cold room, allowing them to design the cold room according to their preferences. 1Cold Ltd is a trusted and reputable cold room specialist that employs talented and accommodating people to help you design your cold room layout. They can also manage the entire construction process for you. Simply call 1Cold Ltd on 01564 702 269 for a free consultation.

Protect Medicines Using Cold Rooms

It is of the utmost importance to consider where your medical supplies are being stored. Most medicine and pharmaceutical products require a controlled environment (usually cold temperatures) or they will spoil. Medicines are produced and stored in large quantities and a simple refrigeration system is not cut-out for the job—you will need a specialised cold storage solution.

The storage phase is just as important as the actual development. This is true in pharmaceutical companies, with most of the medicines needing to be stored at a certain and constant temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius, in order for them to remain viable. Medicines must be kept away from direct sunlight and humidity and they must also be controlled to prevent the growth of micro-organisms. Please take note that some drugs may require a higher temperature, where a different set of environmentally controlled rooms will be needed. A simple mistake in the storage process might ruin the entire batch. Wrong medical storage simply equates to loss.

Finding an effective and efficient storage solution is a tedious task to say the least. It is important to find a company that has an excellent reputation when it comes to the designing, management and construction of temperature controlled environments. They must be able to construct even the most sophisticated cold rooms in the industry and the central components should work as efficiently as possible like the power system, the refrigeration equipment, etc. There are several companies in the UK that offer cold rooms and storage facilities but noted for its flexibility and skills in the cold room industry is 1cold Ltd. 1Cold has been trusted and recommended by different companies across the UK for the quality of service that they offer. Backed up by over 50 years of experience, 1Cold will ensure that your pharmaceutical supplies will have the proper cold storage facilities, delivered to you in a fast and efficient manner.