Yes, frozen food should be delivered solid and hard to the touch, indicating it has stayed at or below the safe temperature (typically 0°F / -18°C or colder) and hasn't thawed, which prevents bacteria from multiplying and ensures food safety. Reject deliveries that show signs of thawing, like fluid stains or softness, as they may pose a health risk.
Make sure the food is at the correct temperature, i.e. +8°C or colder for chilled food ( best at +2⁰C to +5°C) and no warmer than (minus) -12°C (preferably -18°C) for frozen food. I t is good practice to write down the delivery temperatures so that you can show that the food was delivered at the correct temperatures.
In addition to watching for the warning signs listed above, you should take the temperature of frozen foods before accepting a delivery. Frozen food should be received frozen, or at 0°F (-18°C).
Any package that has holes should be rejected. For canned products, reject anything with bulging ends. Anything with a broken seal, missing label or dirty packaging should not be accepted. Do not accept any products that look like they may have been tampered with.
Food Delivery Checklist
Check the temperature – Quick Frozen products should be at least -15 °C, or colder, and other frozen products should be at least -12 °C, or colder.
Dented rims – cans that have dented rims (even tiny dents) should be DISCARDED. Bulging and/or leaking cans can be caused by freezing, improper storage, overfilling of the can during processing, denting or contamination by spoilage bacteria.
Yes, you can send frozen food by mail using proper packaging and cooling agents like dry ice or frozen gel packs.
USPS® does not offer refrigeration services. You may ship frozen articles using packaging supplies like Dry Ice at your own risk and according to Publication 52 section on Dry Ice. The frozen product must be packaged so as not to leak or cause odors.
Ice Packs: Gel packs or ice bricks are added to the packaging to keep the temperature low for several hours. Dry Ice: For longer deliveries or particularly sensitive items, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) may be used because it maintains very cold temperatures as it sublimates (turns directly from solid to gas).
Freezers should be kept at -18°C or below. Food should be frozen solid at this temperature. Activities like cooking meals, putting groceries away and catering for parties can cause the temperature of some fridges to rise unsafe levels.
Proper packaging is critical to maintaining the integrity of frozen food during transit. Here are key considerations for packaging: Insulated Containers: Use insulated containers or boxes lined with thermal materials to keep the contents cold.
Common cold chain shipping challenges include:
The food should arrive frozen or partially frozen with ice crystals still visible or at least refrigerator cold—below 40 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Even if a product is smoked, cured, vacuum-packed, and/or fully cooked, it still is a perishable product and must be kept cold.
Hot food should arrive hot, and cold food should arrive cold. Food should not be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F (outside or in a hot car). During delivery, hot and cold foods should be kept separate from each other.
Choose the Best Refrigerant for Cold or Frozen Items
Gel packs and dry ice are the best options for keeping your food cool in transit. In general, use dry ice for ice cream and other foods you want to keep frozen, and gel packs to keep food between 32 and 60 degrees F.
Use a refrigerant that will keep products within the required temperature range. Gel coolants refrigerate products between 34ºF (1ºC) and 50ºF (10ºC). Use dry ice for frozen items. Use an insulated foam container with a minimum of 1-1/2"-thick walls.
Keep Frozen Foods Safe When Moving Use a Cooler or Esky to Store Frozen Food. Using an esky is the best possible way to keep your frozen food safe during travel. If your travel time is going to be long, use iceblocks instead of ice cubes to keep temperatures low for longer.
Finding the Right Cold Storage Labels
Choosing the right label makes all the difference when you're shipping frozen or refrigerated products. From seafood and meal kits to pharmaceuticals and warehouse inventory, waterproof thermal labels keep your items clearly marked and traceable through the cold chain.
You can't post items like weapons, explosives, illegal drugs, fresh/perishable foods, certain animal/plant products (risk of pests/diseases), counterfeit goods, and hazardous materials (aerosols, flammables) to Australia via post; these are banned by Australian Border Force for biosecurity and safety, so always check the official Australia Post website and ABF guidelines for a complete list before sending anything.
The best meal delivery service in Australia depends on your needs, with Marley Spoon often praised for variety/flexibility (meal kits), HelloFresh being a popular family choice, and My Muscle Chef/Soulara excelling for fitness/dietary goals (prepared meals), while Lite n' Easy and YouFoodz offer great prepared options for convenience, and Dinnerly/EveryPlate provide budget-friendly meal kits. For high-quality ready-made, FoodSt and The Dinner Ladies are top contenders, offering delicious, home-cooked style meals.
Do not use twine or cord to seal the package, and don't wrap you packages in brown paper. Those items tend to catch and bind in mail processing equipment. Pay attention to addressing. Write the complete address clearly on the outside of the package.
The FDA said dented cans could contain Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a rare but life-threatening condition. These toxins attack the nervous system - nerves, brain and spinal cord - and cause paralysis (muscle weakness).
You have the right to refuse a delivery if the goods are not as described, fail to meet quality standards, or are delivered late, as outlined in the Consumer Rights Act 2015.