So what is the cold chain logistics?
Cold chain logistics, also commonly referred to as cool chain logistics or chill chain logistics, is a temperature controlled supply chain. In short, it’s a transportation chain that maintains freight at an agreed upon temperature throughout the logistics process.
Understanding the cold chain process is half the battle for your refrigerated goods. Maintaining optimal temperatures of refrigeration, or, maintaining freezing temperatures for frozen foods that must remain in their solid states, is the most important part of the cold chain process
Why do we need to keep certain foods and products cold? It may seem simple but it’s also a basic part of the cold chain process we have to understand. In short, low temperatures prevent sensitive products from altering their state and reducing their shelf life. The two ways to preserve food and keep it cold are:
- Freezing (for long-term preservation)
- Refrigeration (used to keep a product’s shelf life from deteriorating in the short term, which is usually days for food and weeks for other products like pharmaceuticals)
What are the Links in the Cold Chain?
Links in the cold chain logistics process include:
- Refrigerated warehouses located in refrigerated production areas
- Refrigerated transportation
- Regular refrigerated warehouses
- Commercial refrigerated warehouses
- Local refrigerated transportation
- Refrigerated equipment at both retailer and wholesaler destination points
What are Quality Standards?
To begin with, quality standards in the cold chain industry are the overall guidelines for high-quality shipping. They basically set out the expectations your cold chain provider must follow. These requirements include:
- Shipping speed
- Guidelines for temperature
- Compliance regulations
Industries Using the Cold Supply Chain
The following cold chain products are very popular:
- Fruits and vegetables
- All fresh foods
- Floral market
- Dairy products
- Pharma products
- Meat market
- Seafood market
PIMM™ Cold Chain Management (CCM) provides “end to end visibility” for your cold chain. The system monitors, analyzes and manages the entire distribution process from supplier plants, 3rd party carriers, 3rd party cold storage/distribution centers, outbound delivery fleet and in-store cold storage.
To learn more about food temperature safety monitoring solutions for your food industry business, please call today 858-457-8160 or visit us at www.procuro.com!