the majority of meal kits delivered to consumers contain one or more perishable food items that have been exposed to temperatures above the 40-degree Fahrenheit safety zone which impedes the growth of potentially harmful bacteria.
Researchers found the types and quantities of packaging coolants used significantly impact perishable food safety. Approximately 17% of deliveries using dry ice had at least one item above 40 degrees. Of deliveries shipped using gel packs, 93% had at least one item above 40 degrees. All the deliveries containing two kilograms or less of gel packets had at least one item above 40 degrees, and 90% of deliveries containing six kilograms or more of gel packets had at least one item above 40 degrees.
"Meal kit companies and online grocers experienced unprecedented growth in 2020," said Joseph Battoe, CEO of Chicago-based Varcode, a compliance and sustainability group for perishable foods."And while the popularity of home-delivered foods and meal kits is still increasing, few details are known about the journey of these packaged foods from when they leave the vendor to when the foods are delivered and prepared in consumer homes.