Things to know about meat crates

‍

In food logistics, appropriate means of storage and transportation are crucial for the quality and safety of products. This applies in particular to perishable goods such as meat. Meat crates, specially developed for the transportation and storage of meat products, play a central role in this industry. This article highlights the special features and advantages of meat crates.

Origin and intended use

Meat crates, often referred to as meat containers or meat boxes, are containers that are specially designed for the transportation and storage of meat products. They are usually made of food-grade plastic, which is hygienic, easy to clean and robust.

Standardised meat crates

There are various standardized sizes and shapes of meat crates to meet the different requirements of the meat processing and distribution industry:

• E1 crates: dimensions 600 x 400 x 120 mm. Often used for smaller cuts of meat or packaged products.
• E2 crates: Dimensions 600 x 400 x 200 mm. Suitable for larger pieces of meat, e.g. whole chickens or large pieces of beef.
• E3 crates: Dimensions 600 x 400 x 320 mm. For the transportation of very large quantities of meat, e.g. for wholesalers.
• F crates: With special dimensions for fish, these are often also used in meat logistics, especially for packaged meat.
  

These crates are often stackable in order to minimize the space required during transport and storage while ensuring sufficient ventilation of the contents.

Advantages of meat crates

• sanitation: Because meat crates are made of food-grade plastic, they can be easily cleaned and disinfected, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination.
• Shelf life: The crates protect the meat from external influences such as dust and dirt and help to preserve the freshness of the product.
• Efficiency: Due to their stackability, meat crates optimize space requirements in warehouses and transport vehicles.
• Sustainability: Many meat crates are reusable, which reduces the need for disposable packaging and helps to preserve resources.

Areas of application

Meat crates are mainly used in abattoirs, meat processing plants and wholesalers. They are suitable for transporting raw meat, processed meat products and even frozen goods.

Sustainability and reuse

Modern meat crates are designed so that they can be reused over longer periods of time. This not only reduces packaging waste, but also contributes to a more efficient and sustainable food supply chain. As they are made of plastic, they can also be recycled at the end of their life.

‍