Temperature Excursion

A temperature excursion occurs when freight that requires a specific temperature range is exposed to temperatures outside that range during transit. For frozen goods, this might mean the load climbed above 0�F. For refrigerated produce or dairy, it could mean temps dropped below 32�F or rose above 40�F. Even a brief excursion outside the specified range can render perishable product unsalable, unsafe, or non-compliant with food safety regulations – making this one of the highest-stakes risks in cold chain logistics.

Excursions are typically caused by reefer unit mechanical failure, incorrect temperature settings at dispatch, pre-cool failures where the trailer wasn't brought to temperature before loading, prolonged door openings during multi-stop routes, or fuel run-outs on the refrigeration unit. The damage is often concealed – the product may look fine on the outside but has been compromised internally, making temperature monitoring data the only reliable evidence of what happened in transit.

For shippers in food and beverage, temperature excursions carry consequences beyond the cost of the lost product. FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) regulations require shippers to maintain safe handling practices throughout the supply chain, and a documented excursion can trigger recalls, retailer chargebacks, or compliance violations. Retailers with strict OTIF and quality programs – particularly grocery chains – may refuse delivery outright if reefer download data shows any deviation from spec, regardless of whether the product appears acceptable.

Protecting against excursions starts before the load moves. Verify reefer pre-cool temperatures before loading, confirm temperature set points with the carrier at tender, and ensure continuous temperature monitoring is in place – either via the reefer unit's onboard recorder or independent data loggers placed inside the load. When an excursion does occur, the reefer download data and any IoT sensor records become the primary evidence for a freight claim.