Container lines call for refrigerated cargo rate increase

Container lines serving raw meat industries involved in U.S.-Asia trade are calling for an across-the-board increase in refrigerated cargo rates in order to cover higher equipment and operating costs during the traditionally slow season.
Member carriers in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement said the recommended guideline increase of $300 per 40-foot container is to take effect January 1, 2012, and will apply to all commodity segments and origin-destination pairs.
WTSA members say the increase is needed to ensure equipment availability by covering the network costs of redeploying refrigerated containers from other trades. Refrigerated equipment tends to be diverted out of the transpacific during winter months in the U.S., which adds to operating costs in serving U.S. export shippers of agricultural and non-agricultural commodities. The problem is compounded when equipment is pulled from more lucrative markets that pay higher rates for refrigerated and other specialized equipment, WTSA members say.

High-intensity light pulse technology reduces microbial levels on poultry

The use of high-intensity light pulse technology reduces the microbial counts of bacteria like Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis on raw chicken, as well as packaging and related surface materials, according to scientists at the Centre for Food Safety, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin.
Complete inactivation of the bacteria in liquid was achieved after 30 seconds of HILP treatment, with significant reductions after five seconds. Treatment became more effective on the chicken as the thickness of the packaging film decreased. "This study has shown HILP to be an effective method for the decontamination of packaging and surface materials," said scientists. "Additionally, it has demonstrated the potential of HILP to be used as a decontamination method for packaged chicken."

UK explores chicken wash

Britain’s Food Standards Agency is exploring its options to cut down on campylobacter, which is found on 86% of raw chicken in the country. The Telegraph reported that antimicrobial wash is among the options being explored, even though these chemical washes do not have EU clearance.
The food watchdog agency said it’s starting to look into the wash, among other solutions, because of potential public backlash. Poultry industry insiders hope consumers won’t resist them dipping chickens in diluted lactic acid an approved food that should kill much of the bug.