When it comes to delivering meal kits, groceries, and/or perishable goods, food safety is especially important. Here’s what you need to know:
Keeping Foods Fresh– Cold Chain Compliance
Gigs have a time limit for a reason, but it’s more critical than ever when delivering frozen, refrigerated, and perishable items. When cold items start to heat up to room temperature, bacteria can grow and cause the food to become unsafe.
For this reason, all perishable grocery items must be delivered immediately – no more than 1 hour of picking them up.
If a package containing food or perishable goods is tampered with, damaged, leaking, or becomes damaged during transit, contact Roadie Support or the sender.
Transporting Pre-Packaged Meal Kits and/or Groceries and Other Food Items
Pre-packaged meal kits typically contain insulating liners, gel packs, and cooling material to keep food as cool as possible for several hours after delivery. For loose grocery items or other perishables, drivers are asked to use insulated bags and/or coolers to ensure items stay at the appropriate temperature while in transit.
Drivers can help promote food safety and preserve freshness longer with the following best practices:
- Keep the temperature inside of the vehicle cool when delivering food.
- Wash or sanitize hands before and after handling food-related deliveries.
- To prevent contamination, keep vehicle sanitary, tidy, and well maintained for operation. Food and perishable items should not be transported in close proximity to chemicals, allergens, or other contaminants.
- Avoid transporting food or perishable goods while animals are in the vehicle. If the vehicle previously transported animals, take proper measures to thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces before completing a delivery involving food.
- Deliver boxes or groceries in a shaded area, if available, and out of direct sunlight. (Customers often have special delivery instructions for food or perishable goods, so be on the lookout for any special requests.)
COVID-19 Guidance
The CDC also has issued special guidance for delivery drivers who are delivering food during the pandemic (“What Food and Grocery Pick-Up and Delivery Drivers Need to Know about COVID-19”). Please review these guidelines and ensure you are following them to keep customers safe.
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