If you work in food logistics, chances are you\u2019ve heard stories about product recalls for everything from romaine lettuce to sausage. Recalls are a nightmare as they can cost companies millions of dollars. Contaminated products can also make consumers extremely ill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wood pallets are one of the biggest sources of contamination in the food logistics industry. Wood pallets aren\u2019t very easy to clean, so bacteria can easily find its way into and onto food products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sticking with plastic pallets, such as plastic skids by ORBIS<\/a>, is far safer and can prevent contamination. Below, learn how plastic pallets can help protect food as it travels through the supply chain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help stave off foodborne illnesses, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The act states you must keep your food storage<\/a> facility both clean and cool to discourage bacterial growth. You must also establish and maintain controls to prevent contamination from fungi, chemicals, and debris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other FSMA rules for food logistics include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The FSMA is a law, which means violations could carry criminal penalties. You may have to pay heavy fines, and the FDA could force you to recall your products and even shut down your facility. Switching to plastic pallets can help your business avoid costly FSMA violations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter how clean wood pallets look, they can harbor potentially deadly bacteria you can\u2019t see with the naked eye. Wood pallets are porous, which means they absorb moisture like a sponge. This makes them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, mildew, and mold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Water isn\u2019t the only thing you\u2019ll have to worry about with wood pallets. Handlers can accidentally set pallets in spilled chemicals, potentially poisoning consumers. Meat liquids are another common contaminant that can cause a deadly E. coli<\/em> outbreak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most companies use wood pallets repeatedly, sometimes without properly disinfecting them. That\u2019s just asking for a foodborne illness outbreak and an expensive product recall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastic pallets, on the other hand, are non-porous and cannot absorb moisture. They\u2019re also far easier to disinfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wood pallets aren\u2019t particularly durable. After a few trips, they can splinter and crack. Damaged pallets may also have exposed nails that pose a danger to food handlers and puncture product packaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Splinters are bad news if you\u2019re shipping loose food products like apples or onions. Imagine that a splinter gets stuck in an apple. A customer takes a bite and ends up with a painful cut in their mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With plastic pallets, food logistics companies don\u2019t have to worry about splintering, cracking, or exposed nails. Plastic pallets don\u2019t have any loose pieces that could end up in your products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people associate plastic with \u201cbad for the environment,\u201d but the opposite is true. Unlike wood, which is a finite resource, plastic can be recycled and used repeatedly. Many plastic pallets are made from recycled plastic that would have otherwise ended up in the ocean or a landfill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Switching to plastic pallets can be a smart PR move for your brand. Today\u2019s savvy consumers prefer doing business with companies that care about their carbon footprint. They\u2019ll appreciate knowing you ship your goods with pallets made from 100% recycled plastic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your food logistics team is ready to make the switch from wood pallets to plastic pallets, reach out to ORBIS Corporation. Our plastic pallets are perfect for food manufacturing<\/a> and easy to disinfect, stack, and transport. We offer pallets suitable for meat, dairy products, produce, and many other food items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a product question or want a custom quote?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reach out today! Our experts are ready to craft the perfect reusable packaging solution for your needs.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPlastic Pallets Can Keep Your Business FSMA Compliant <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Plastic Pallets Don\u2019t Harbor Dangerous Bacteria <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plastic Pallets Don\u2019t Splinter or Warp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plastic Pallets Are Environmentally Friendly <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Protect Your Brand With Pallets From ORBIS Corporation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n