Download our new ‘Distress Loads and Clandestine Infiltration of Commercial Vehicles’ report revealing the scale of risk to food safety in the UK. [Click Here]
As the drive and appetite for saving good food from going to waste continues, Oakland International’s accredited Distress Load Management service is an EHO approved solution for same day or next day treatment of distress loads.
Typical Recovery Rate 85% – EHO Approved
A dedicated facility trusted by major insurers as they can attend Oakland’s site and witness the whole process and personally verify exact waste and consignment recovery levels, Oakland typically recovers over 85% of product, with stock deemed non-conforming due to contamination, human interference, damage etc. quarantined in line with Oakland’s HACCP procedure before disposal by external waste contactors with a certificate of destruction provided.
Operating 24-hrs/7 days a week, for immediate help with a distress load, please call 01527 357 424 or email: DLM@oakland-international.com
Contact us
Distress Load Management Service (DLM)
Taking The Panic Out Of A Crisis
A distress load is where food safety could have been compromised, anything from pallets moving in transit, to incorrect temperature or clandestine infiltration.
Our distress load service has been developed in response to increasing numbers of hauliers, suppliers and insurers experiencing load issues.
Any situation arising from a load which could potentially end up incurring huge loss and associated costs, can be dealt with onsite at our BRCGS accredited premises in Redditch.
Operating 24-hours/7 days a week, for more information, or for initial help with a distress load, please call 01527 357 424 or email: DLM@oakland-international.com
At Oakland International we understand that when a load is compromised, every minute counts. Our accredited Distress Load Management (DLM) service offers a fast-response, end-to-end solution for the safe recovery or disposal of at-risk consignments – protecting your brand, cost base and food safety reputation.
Why act fast?
A distress load can occur for many reasons: pallets shifting in transit, temperature abuse, incorrect labelling, clandestine infiltration or unauthorised access, contamination or damage.
Left unchecked, the financial, operational and reputational cost can be substantial: entire loads written off, lost sales, supply chain disruption, regulatory risk and brand value impact.
With sustainability and food-waste concerns on the rise, acting swiftly not only helps mitigate loss — it demonstrates a proactive, professional response.
Our solution: the DLM service
Our 24 / 7 / 365 Distress Load Management team is on standby to take immediate action. We manage the entire workflow from first contact through to final certificate of destruction or full recovery.
Key features of the service include:
- Rapid response – same day or next day treatment of distress loads in our dedicated facility.
- BRCGS & EHO approved – we operate to the highest standards of food safety and compliance.
- Cold Chain Federation
- Average recovery rate ~85% – we typically salvage 85% of the load.
- Full traceability and reporting – detailed, transparent documentation for stakeholders including insurers, hauliers and suppliers.
- Secure disposal where required – non-conforming stock is quarantined in line with HACCP procedures and destroyed with certificate of destruction provided.
- Trusted by insurers – major insurers can attend our site to personally verify process and recovery metrics.
Industries we serve
We support a wide range of sectors where product integrity is critical:
- Food & beverage – chilled, ambient and frozen foods
- Retail, convenience and discount outlets
- Transport, logistics and haulage firms
- Insurers and loss-adjustors requiring specialist load recovery support
Typical distress-load scenarios
- Examples of issues our DLM team routinely handles include:
- Unauthorised access or clandestine infiltration of the consignment
- Pallets collapsing or needing restacking due to movement in transit
- Temperature abuse (cold-chain failure)
- Labelling errors or mis-labelling causing compliance or traceability risk
- Contamination or damage requiring quarantine and disposal
Why choose Oakland?
Two decades of specialist experience: Our DLM service has been operating successfully for over 20 years and remains the UK’s longest-established provider.
Market-leading facility: Purpose-built hub, multi-temperature chambers, CCTV monitored re-work area, and full QA oversight.
Proven performance: With recovery rates averaging ~85% and strong endorsement by insurers, we deliver results you can trust.
Full-service provider: From crisis call, through inspection, rework/quarantine, onward delivery (where applicable) or secure disposal and certificate issuance.
Sustainability-focused: Good stock that can be recovered is saved; non-recoverable stock is handled via anaerobic digestion and legitimate waste chains.
coldchainnews.com
Oakland process at a glance
Initial crisis call – our 24/7 line takes your notification and mobilises the team.
On-site or remote inspection – assessment of consignments, documentation, photos, chain-of-custody.
Recovery re-work or quarantine – conforming stock is cleaned, re-topped, sealed, re-loaded; risk stock is quarantined and securely disposed.
Reporting & certification – full audit trail, digital reports to all stakeholders, certificate of destruction issued where relevant.
Return to supply chain – for saved stock, we ensure onward delivery or reintegration, protecting supply continuity and brand integrity.
Protect your brand & your bottom line
Don’t let a distress load become a full-scale supply chain failure. Partner with Oakland’s DLM team to respond swiftly, mitigate loss, and preserve your brand’s reputation. Whether you’re a retailer, manufacturer, haulier or insurer seeking trusted support – we are here to help.
Need immediate help with a distress load?
Call us now on 01527 357 424 or email DLM@oakland-international.com
Below are testimonials from customers who have and who continue to use our Distress Load Management service.
Visit Food Waste Action’s website for ideas!
