Shipping & Receiving Extracts
All allergen extracts are shipped expedited using a reputable courier under non-refrigerated conditions. It is important to ensure that a member of your staff be available on the day your products are scheduled to arrive to minimize the amount of time the extracts are out of refrigeration.
When your supplies arrive, you should record the lot number and expiration date for each allergen on an inventory management sheet. As you consume supplies, it may be helpful to maintain a record of how long each one lasts. Keeping this information up to date can assist with inventory planning and the monitoring of expiration dates.
Once this data is recorded, store your supplies in a refrigerator set to 2- 8°C (36-46°F). It is recommended that you include a recording device in your refrigerator in order to monitor temperature and to note any deviations if they occur. In the event of a power failure or any other malfunction, it will be helpful to know both the highest temperature as well as the duration of exposure. Read our page of additional storage information).
Will a delayed shipment cause significant damage to the unrefrigerated extracts?
On occasion, there may be a delay during the shipment. In most cases, a short delay will not significantly affect the potency of your extracts. During the summer, ice packs can be included upon request, but these come at an additional cost and may not be necessary under most conditions.
ALK has performed shipping validation studies to evaluate temperature variability and protein stability. Please contact us if you have experienced a shipment delay and have any questions.
For further information on product storage and stability, please read the section on Stability & Expiration Dating.
Is there a way I can reduce my shipping costs?
Since all orders come with expedited shipping to minimize the amount of time out of refrigeration, it is recommended that you develop inventory strategies to minimize the number of shipments. For example, if you track your inventory and plan accordingly, you could order larger quantities of supplies less often instead of ordering fewer supplies more often. This may help you save on your shipping costs.