Storage units are a great option when you are lacking the much-needed space at home. You can store many different items there. From unused furniture to collectibles. And it can home very handy when moving. Since relocation companies Bahrain can temporarily store your belongings there. It’s also very useful for many different industries. From trading companies to manufacturing. But, there are certain items that are hard to store. And storing perishable items is either impossible. Or requires certain preparation to be made. Here are some guidelines for storing such items.
What are perishable items?
Many people have trouble understanding what exactly perishable items are. And for that reason, there is a lot of confusion about storing perishable items. Probably the first thing that comes to mind when talking about perishables is food. While most, if not all, foods are perishable items, the list doesn’t end there. In short, a perishable item is any item that has a limited or finite shelf life. And as such cannot be stored for a long period of time without special equipment.
For example, you can store meat in a freezer for many months. But, without it, it would most likely spoil within a few days. Some other perishable items are medications and certain chemicals. This is especially problematic for companies that have to deal with perishable items. As their supply will deteriorate or completely disappear regardless of demand. And so, they are always looking for a way of storing perishable items long term.
Problems with storing perishable items
One of the main problems with storing perishable items is that they are perishable. They will spoil or become useless in a short period of time. And as such are not suitable for long-term storage. Anything that can spoil is perishable. And it can not be in storage. Since as it spoils it can begin to rot and produce very unpleasant odors. And also pose a threat to your health. Therefore, most, if not all perishable items, should not be kept in storage.
There are a lot of perishable items that you should not put in storage
There are many items that can’t be stored in a storage unit. Or at least shouldn’t. Either because they are prohibited items for storage or because their shelf-life doesn’t permit it. But, for the purposes of this guideline for storing perishable items, we will list some of the most common items that shouldn’t be stored.
- Fruits and vegetables are some of the most obvious items on this list are fruits and vegetables. They have a very short shelf-life and can spoil easily. As they spoil they rot and produce an unpleasant smell. That said, there are some semi-perishable vegetables, like potatoes.
- Meat is another perishable good that should not be kept in storage. Even if specially treated, it’s not wise to keep it in a storage unit. The same goes for poultry.
- Dairy products and eggs should also not be kept in a storage unit. They will also spoil and produce bad odors. Even refined milk products like cheese are not suited to be kept in a storage unit.
- Cooked food should never be kept in a storage unit.
- Opened food, even long-lasting ones, should never be put in storage. Items like chips, if opened will spoil.
But, not all foods are considered perishable. For example, canned food can be kept in a storage unit. As long as the can is unopened. And there are also some items that are not perishable:
- Flour
- Spices
- Canned foods
- Jars and bottles
- Nuts – including peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts and so on.
- Dried packet goods like noodles for example
Solutions for storing perishable items
You are now probably wondering how on earth all those perishable items make it to your local supermarket every day. Especially if they can’t be stored. For that, good logistics solutions are needed. Also, there are certain solutions to storing perishable items. Like cold storage units. But, they are not always the perfect solution. They can cost a lot of money and are not designed for a wide range of items. So, unless you are a big company dealing with perishable items, they are not a good solution for you. Some other solutions include picking fruits before they are ripe. Bananas are a great example. How can a banana picked in Ecuador be sold in Norway? The solution is to pick them while they are still green. And let them ripen during transport and storage.
Storing perishable items short-term
Many trading companies resort to some of those solutions for storing perishable items. But, it’s important that the whole supply chain works flawlessly. If you are in a need to store perishables for a short while, you can try using a short-term storage unit in Bahrain. But, it’s very important that you declare your intention. And work out the details with the storage provider. That way, you won’t be in violation of the storage agreement or the law. Most storage providers will not allow perishable in their facilities. Short or long term.
Storing perishable items when moving
One of the biggest obstacles people face is what to do with their perishable items when moving. And the short answer to this question is that storing perishable items is prohibited. Most, if not all, storage unit providers will not allow you to store any perishables in their facilities. So, in order to avoid being in breach of the storage agreement you need to dispose of your perishables. Especially if you are moving overseas and need to store items before shipping them. So, start emptying your fridge and freezer well in advance. Eat what can be eaten and donate or throw away the rest. Otherwise, you risk your food spoiling inside a storage unit. And at that point, breaching a storage agreement will be the least of your worries. As most of your items will have a very bad odor.