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The UK is seeing longer, hotter summers – and food producers are feeling the heat. For those working in milk, dairy, and poultry production, warm weather brings a number of challenges that can’t be ignored. Even the slightest temperature fluctuations can trigger spoilage, shorten shelf life, alter taste, and in some cases, lead to serious breaches in food safety compliance.
When products are stored or processed in inadequate conditions, the consequences can be both financial and reputational. Producers that once relied on ambient conditions to manage cooling are now having to reassess their approach, especially during peak summer periods.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the risks of rising temperatures and the vital cooling measures that protect dairy and poultry products at every stage of production.
What are the Risks of Inadequate Cooling?
Spoilage accelerates:
Once temperatures begin to creep beyond the recommended range, microbial growth increases rapidly – especially in milk and poultry. What might survive a few hours in cooler months could be completely unusable in the summer.
Flavour and texture degrade:
Heat can cause milk proteins to break down and poultry meat to develop an unpleasant texture or odour. These subtle changes may not be obvious at first, but they can massively impact consumer satisfaction and brand trust.
Compliance becomes harder to maintain:
Food safety regulations require strict control over storage and processing temperatures. Inconsistent cooling risks breaches that could result in product recalls or even production shutdowns.
Operation efficiency suffers:
Without a contingency plan, the warmer weather can delay processes, compromise the quality of batches, and cause expensive interruptions – especially when equipment unexpectedly fails and there is no backup in place.
How to Keep Dairy and Poultry Production Cool and Compliant
Maintaining the right temperature is critical across every stage of dairy and poultry production. In dairy processing, cooling is vital immediately after pasteurisation. Once milk is heated to remove harmful bacteria, it needs to be brought down to safe storage temperatures quickly and consistently.
Storage brings even further risk, as milk needs consistently low temperatures to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage. When an award-winning Leicestershire dairy production facility faced this issue, our emergency chiller hire safeguarded their cheese production line to protect product quality and keep operations running smoothly – read the full case study here.
In poultry processing, cooling must begin immediately after slaughter to prevent bacterial spread. Even short delays can compromise hygiene and reduce shelf life. Stable storage temperatures are equally vital, as fluctuations can completely ruin batches.
Why Choose Andrews Sykes for Rapid Cooling Support?
Avoid downtime with rapid emergency deployment:
Our nationwide network allows us to deliver and install emergency chiller rental equipment within hours to minimise disruption and keep your production moving.
Protect product quality:
Unstable temperatures pose a real threat to dairy and poultry output. Our chiller hire units maintain consistent cooling across every production stage, helping preserve taste, texture, and shelf life even during extreme weather.
Bespoke systems built around your operation:
Every site has its own set of challenges. We offer customised solutions for everything from small-batch dairies to high-volume poultry processors to ensure you get equipment that fits your space, process, and goals.
Stay ahead of seasonal risks:
Our chiller hire services help you meet strict food safety standards and prepare for unpredictable summer conditions. See how we did it for the UK’s largest farming and dairy company.
Beat the Heat with Andrews Sykes
Rising temperatures are becoming a seasonal certainty – and proactive temperature control is the best defence. Whether you’re storing milk, curing cheese, or processing poultry, a robust cooling plan can be the difference between smooth operations and expensive setbacks.
If your existing systems are under pressure or you need a contingency plan in place, we’re here to help. Give us a call on 0800 211 611 or enquire online to arrange a free site visit today.
