Introduction

The cold rooms are controlled environments designed for the storage of perishable products. Within these spaces, the shelves not only perform a support function, but also contribute to the correct organization of foodstuffs, hygiene management and the free circulation of refrigerated air.

Proper choice of storage facilities helps improve the safety, ease of use and overall efficiency of the refrigerated environment.

Reference standard

Materials in contact with food (MOCA)

The main reference is the Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, which establishes that materials intended for contact with food must not transfer dangerous substances and must not alter the smell, taste or composition of the products.

The shelvings fall within the MOCA scope when they are intended for direct contact with unpackaged foods.

Hygiene and HACCP

The HACCP system, together with European regulations on food hygiene, requires the use of easily washable surfaces, corrosion-resistant materials and construction solutions that help reduce the risk of contamination.

For this reason, the shelves intended for cold rooms must be designed to promote cleanliness, control and order.

Materials used

Stainless steel

The AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel is one of the most used materials for structures intended for refrigerated environments. It offers high resistance to corrosion, good durability and an easily sanitized surface.

It is a particularly suitable solution when robustness, reliability and long life are needed.

Anodized aluminum

The anodized aluminium represents a lighter, more practical and versatile solution. Anodizing increases the material's resistance to humidity and improves its behavior in cold environments.

It is often chosen for modular structures that need to be simple to assemble, disassemble or reconfigure.

Plastic shelves

The shelves in polypropylene or in other plastic materials suitable for food use are appreciated for their lightness, ease of removal and the possibility of quick washing.

This solution makes sanitation and routine maintenance operations easier.

Correct organization of food

Correct arrangement of products inside the cold room is essential to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

• lower shelves: raw meat and fish
• intermediate shelves: dairy products and sensitive products
• upper shelves: cooked or ready-to-eat foods

This criterion helps to avoid the dripping of liquids from raw products into ready-made foods.

Mistakes to avoid

Cross contamination

Raw food must not be placed on ready-made or already processed products.

Shelf overload

Overfilling the shelves can hinder the circulation of cold air and compromise correct storage.

Introducing hot food

Inserting still hot foods into the cell can alter the internal temperature and increase the microbiological risk.

Failure to dry after cleaning

Leaving water or moisture residues on structures can encourage ice formation and create safety and management problems.

Sectors of use

The cold room shelving are used in numerous professional contexts, including:

• catering and professional kitchens
• food industry
• large organized distribution
• cold logistics
• pharmaceutical sector

In the pharmaceutical sector, in addition to the structural requirements, even more rigorous control of storage conditions is required.

Advanced Solutions

Modular systems

Modular solutions allow you to easily adapt the shelf configuration to the cell size and operational needs.

High density shelving

Compactable or high-capacity storage systems allow you to make better use of the available space, while still maintaining order and accessibility of the products.

Cleaning and maintenance

To keep the shelving efficient and hygienically safe, it is important to follow regular cleaning procedures:

1. emptying complete
2. disassembly of the removable shelves
3. washing with suitable detergents
4. rinse thorough
5. drying complete

In addition to cleaning the structures, it is essential to also keep the refrigeration system efficient, so as to guarantee temperature stability and good storage conditions.

Cold room shelving is an essential element for the correct management of refrigerated environments. The choice of materials, the arrangement of products and attention to cleaning procedures directly impact food safety, operational efficiency and preservation quality.

For this reason, it is important to adopt reliable solutions that are practical to manage and consistent with good practices in the sector.