Transportation

Inspect trucks and transport containers for cleanliness, odors, and obvious dirt or debris before beginning the loading process.
Growers should be aware of previous loads carried in transport vehicles and take this information into consideration when determining vehicle use. Trucks that were recently used to transport animals or animal products, for example, would increase the risk of contaminating apples if the trucks were not thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before loading.

Load apples into trucks or transport cartons in a manner that will minimize damage.
Heavily bruised, punctured, or decaying apples may provide a better growth environment for microorganisms and may be more difficult to wash.

Maintain proper temperatures to help ensure both the quality and safety of apples.
Do not let apples sit in unrefrigerated trucks for excessively long periods of time. Refrigerated trucks should be precooled before apples are loaded. Containers of apples should be loaded in a way that ensures proper refrigerated air circulation.