Reefer setpoint and storage life
Free tool · ProducePick a commodity to see the storage temperature, humidity and storage life from USDA Agriculture Handbook 66, with a suggested setpoint in °F and °C. Type the days it has been in storage to see the days left and whether to sell it first.
Suggested setpoint
43 °F (6.1 °C)
Status
Sell now
Days left
3 days
Storage range
41 to 45 °F (5.0 to 7.2 °C)
Humidity
85 to 95%
Storage life
21 days
Chilling sensitive
Yes
On the FDA Food Traceability List
No
Handbook note
Early season 41 to 45 °F, late season 40 to 42 °F. Quality drops after 3 to 4 weeks. Handbook page 216.
An estimate for planning. Check the numbers with your accountant before you decide.
How the math works
Setpoint = the middle of the storage range in USDA Agriculture Handbook 66, rounded to the nearest half degree °F. °C = (°F − 32) × 5 ÷ 9.
Days left = storage life − days in storage. Life used = days in storage ÷ storage life. At 50% used the status turns to watch, at 75% to sell now, and at 100% to past storage life, the same flags as the cold storage log.
Chilling sensitive items can be hurt by cold above freezing, so keep them out of rooms set lower. Items on the FDA Food Traceability List need FSMA 204 lot records when you receive and ship them.
Source: USDA Agriculture Handbook 66, The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks, revised February 2016. Your buyer’s specs, the variety and the time in transit can change these numbers.