Transit Temperatures and Quality of Fresh Vegetables Shipped in an Experimental and a Commercial Van Container to the Far East

Report Summary: Transit temperatures and arrival condition of mixed vegetables (cabbage, carrots, celery, and lettuce) were determined in produce shipped in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) experimental van container and a commercial refrigerated van container from San Francisco, Calif., to Pusan, South Korea. The test was made in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense. The USDA experimental van, tightly stacked with packages of produce in a solid load pattern, provided commodity temperatures comparable to those in a commercial refrigerated van that had a spaced load with air channels for air circulation around the packages. Solid load patterns are faster and easier to load than spaced load patterns and allow more packages to be placed in a van container. Solid loads, however, can only be used in vans with refrigeration and air distribution systems designed to force refrigerated air through the package. Otherwise, excessive temperatures would occur within the load, accompanied by deterioration of product. Quality of the cabbage, carrots, and celery shipped in the two vans was good at destination, but lettuce suffered losses from decay in both vans