Why is Cold Chain in logistics the only solution for transportation?

Posted by Crystal Group on February 22nd, 2019

New technologies have enabled fresh, perishable food from one side of the world to the other without jeopardizing food integrity.However, as much as we talk about refrigerated transport, we often forget to talk about one aspectof cold chain logistics: cold storage and warehousing techniques.Cold storage is the storage of any temperature - controlled substance that prevents the substance from decaying or failing to comply with the relevant laws and regulations.

As the worldwide demand for perishable products grows, effective and efficient cold chain management requires strong partnerships and rapid reactions.

Some products that may require cold storage and refrigerator warehouse are

• Perishable foods such as vegetables, fruits, meat and seafood, dairy products etc.
• Flowers and plants.
• Perishable nutrient products.
• Bio-pharmaceutical products.
• Artworks.

 There are food and product safety regulations attached to each type of product that requires temperature - controlled transport and storage to make things even more complex.

In order to preserve quality and safety from the point of harvest or production through the supply chain to the consumer, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of perishable products correctly. Food products can lead to textural degradation, discoloration, bruising and microbial growth if they do not maintain proper shipping temperature.

Types of cold storage and warehousing techniques

• Refrigerated containers: Refrigerated containers are the most basic and often the most cost - effective option for cold storage of temperature - sensitive products in small quantities. They can also be mobile, giving them the advantage of additional flexibility.
• Chillers and blast freezers: Blast freezers and chillers are ideal for companies that need to cool and store food quickly before they reach their end consumers. Some larger restaurants and catering companies usually use them.
• Cold rooms: Cold rooms are what they sound like. They are a larger alternative to the above options.
• Pharmaceutical grade cold storage: Hospitals and research institutions can use cold storage units of pharmaceutical grade. These units have additional features that make them ideal for bio-pharmaceuticals, blood and some vaccines.
• Plant attached cold storage: For some manufacturers who want to keep their cold storage in - house, cold storage is the preferred option. Products can be transported directly from production to a special cold storage facility on site via conveyor.
• Custom storage facilities: Many cold storage companies have complex needs based on the nature of their products and their end consumers ' preferences. Those who choose to avoid the cost of an on - site facility will choose to use a customized or dedicated 3PL cold storage facility.

Key considerations and best practices

Since cold chain logistics and cold storage and warehouse techniques require temperature integrity, high levels of integration and coordination are required to control all processes involved. Each step in the supply chain and partner-from the farmer / harvester or producer to the final seller-shares responsibility and there are several phases and facilities along the way that contribute to the freshness of the products. Some best practices like.

• Divide and conquer temperature ranges.
• Contingency planning.
• Guarding against the vulnerabilities.

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