Shipping Perishables Safely: Dry Ice Solutions for the Food and Beverage Industry

Despite its reputation, carbon dioxide is one of the world’s most useful substances, finding applications in almost every industry.

As an industrial gas, it enables a host of welding processes and can be found in fabrication workshops across the country. In its solid form, also known as dry ice, it turns into an exceptional preservation and cleaning agent.

Both these features make dry ice exceptionally invaluable to one industry — the food and beverage sector. Let’s take a closer look at why dry ice is crucial for the shipping of perishable goods.

Understanding Dry Ice

Dry ice should not be confused with wet ice. While wet ice is used to cool food and drinks for short periods, dry ice is essential for shipping perishables over extended periods. This is largely due to the substance’s unique properties:

• Dry ice is extremely cold and has a surface temperature of -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit; it cools goods three times faster than wet ice
• Dry ice doesn’t melt into water but directly sublimes into a gas
• Dry ice lasts for up to 24 hours before subliming into its gaseous state. Wet ice usually lasts about 2-3 hours before it melts
• Dry ice doesn’t leave any moisture or residual waste behind, which makes it “dry”

Benefits of Dry Ice For Shipping Perishables

Now that we’ve understood its properties a little better let’s take a closer look at the benefits of dry ice in the food and beverage sector.

• Cost-effective: Dry ice keeps products cold for longer periods, making it one of the most cost-effective refrigeration solutions.
• Extended Shelf Life: Perishable goods have an extremely low shelf life. But with dry ice, shipping companies ensure goods stay cool even during long transits.
• Reduced Spoilage: Dry ice helps food and beverage products stay fresh and retain their nutritional value. This helps reduce waste and spoilage.
• Zero Contamination: Since dry ice never melts into water, there is no risk of contamination. The lack of moisture prevents the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms and helps retain the integrity of the packaging.
• Environment-Friendly: Dry ice is an eco-friendly option for preserving and transporting food items. It can be recycled, reused, and leaves behind no waste.
• Easily Available: Along with its many benefits, dry ice is also extremely easy to procure. nexAir’s dry ice is sold in either block or pellet form and comes with easy delivery solutions.

How to Handle Dry Ice Effectively 

Dry ice is a volatile substance that requires careful handling. Shipping staff should take care to avoid direct contact with the substance as it can lead to frostbite or severe burns.

It must also always be placed under the goods being shipped rather than over — to prevent accidents during unpacking. The box must also be sufficiently ventilated to allow for the release of pressure. 

Forge Forward with nexAir

Over the years, dry ice has proven to be a game-changer in the food and beverage industry. Provided it’s handled correctly — and with the proper gear — it is one of the most reliable and cost-effective refrigeration solutions. 

No one understands the value of dry ice better than nexAir. Through nexAir Carbonic, we deliver dry ice to healthcare clinics, workshops, and food production and transport facilities. Contact us to learn how our KnowHow can help you Forge Forward and ship perishables more safely.