Using Temperature Monitoring Equipment

Regardless of the type of product carried or the temperature range involved, the key issue in the use of air temperature monitoring equipment in the UK is the ability to provide adequate evidence of due diligence under the general provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990.

This requires a potential offender to prove that he took all reasonable precautions to prevent the offence. The Food Safety Act covers all food products intended for human consumption and is concerned with food safety, with implications for controls throughout the entire process to ensure that product remains fit for consumption.

Distributors of chilled and frozen foods are required to keep the food that they handle at specific temperatures. If there is a temperature related problem, it is unlikely that due diligence will be proved unless adequate records, which demonstrate compliance with the temperature requirements, have been maintained. The interval between each record for electronic measuring systems is dependant upon the length of journey up to 8 hours in duration.

Temperature records must be dated and retained by the operator of the vehicle for at least one year, and it is recommended that the measuring system is checked at regular intervals (at least once a year) to ensure correct operation and accuracy of measurement.