Maintaining the freshness and highest quality of food products is of paramount importance for the food industry. Food storage in specialised logistics centres is necessary because of the limited shelf life of fruits and vegetables. These specialised areas, also known as controlled atmosphere (CA) or refrigerated warehouses, are designed to meet the specific storage requirements of these products.
In addition to keeping the product fresh for longer, storing food in warehouses helps to sustain the ripening process. Bananas and tomatoes are among the products that continue to ripen even after they are harvested. Therefore, the level of sunlight, temperature or humidity is adjusted so that the fruits and vegetables arrive at the consumer’s table fully ripe.
The third factor has to do with ensuring the safety of those consuming plant products. Storing fruits and vegetables under controlled conditions helps prevent the growth of pathogens and microorganisms that can cause food spoilage and pose health risks. This is important at every stage of delivery – from transport from the fields and orchards through storage and distribution to the customer.