Cold chain is the low-temperature storage process of food products from production to consumption. Frozen foods are stored in the production facility after being cooled in the most suitable conditions. Frozen foods received from manufacturer warehouses are delivered to intermediate warehouses or dealer warehouses by eligible vehicles for product specifications.
There are refrigerator trucks with cooling units as an example. Transportation, packaging, and delivery of food products to sales areas by the cold chain requirements are legally mandatory.
These warehouses are built according to the characteristics of frozen foods. The shipment of frozen foods is carried out by the food business operator, from warehouses to sales points, to meet consumers’ needs. The responsibility of delivering frozen foods to the consumer without sacrificing hygiene and quality belongs to the food business operator. Also, the necessary controls must be made regarding product quality and consumer health.
Importance of Cold Chain
The use of temperature-controlled supply chain systems is required in many areas. Today, there is an increase in consumers’ desire to reach safe food. That raises the importance of this system in distribution channels from large-scale to small-scale markets. This process should be carried out with more attention and care to meet the market’s needs.
Temperature is vital in preserving sensitive foods such as meat, milk, fish, and frozen products. Temperature change causes the growth of microorganisms and the deterioration of products’ physical and chemical structures. However, it should be kept intact at any stage, from production to consumption. Hence, microorganisms do not reproduce, and the freshness of foods does not deteriorate.
As a result of its importance, cold storage is protected by laws. The laws emphasize the responsibilities of food producers. Therefore, producers have to control the temperature. All food product stages (storage, sales, etc.) must be observed from shipment to consumption. The necessary cold environment has to be provided. In short, the term is a legal requirement for foodstuffs that must be kept in a cold environment.
Uses of Cold Chain
The cold storage rules should be observed when transporting the following products, and the required temperature balance should be carefully adjusted:
- Medical products
- Food products
- Blood
- Organs
- Vegetables and fruits, etc.
Cold Chain In the Food Industry
The cold storage is most often used in the food industry. It ensures that food is delivered in good health. A cold storage is required where appropriate temperature and humidity conditions must be provided. The temperature-controlled supply chain in food, which is under control by-laws, is critical.
Providing Temperature Controlled Environment
There are various types of refrigerants produced for cooling products. In particular, commercial freezer models or cooling systems keep the food in the cold storage chain. The cabinets with the right temperatures are devices that keep foods cold. These devices are known as follows:
- Heat exchanger,
- Commercial fridges,
- Radiative cooling within heat shields,
- Intercooler,
- Cooler,
- A cooling tower is used in large industrial plants and power stations and
- A commercial refrigerator, etc.
In case of deterioration of the cold storage, “its breaking reports” should be prepared and submitted to the necessary authorities. Products should never be used in cases where it is broken. Otherwise, they will have harmful effects on health.
The Elements to Control in the Cold Chain
Logistics refers to the transportation of many products. The products in question can vary. While some of these products are easier to transport, the system is useful for goods that need to be preserved in freshness or are not suitable for long hours of transportation. In this technology, some elements need attention:
- Air conditioning
- Storage conditions
- Cooling system
- Logistics
Temperature-controlled supply chain technology is designed so that remote control is possible. The air conditioning is adjusted specifically for the product to be transported, with no modification needed during the shipment of the products.
The storage conditions are one of the issues that should be given logistical importance regardless of the cold storage system. The incorrect placement may cause serious damage to the products.
The cooling mechanism is the main aspect of the transport system, and you can easily meet this need with Greencooler. Logistics is important in managing your plans according to the shipment rotation of a product within its scope.
Why Does Cold Chain Break Happen?
Breaking the cold chain causes serious issues. Food, vaccines, medicine, and all other biological materials must be stored at appropriate temperatures. From the production stage to logistics, every step must comply with the law for the best outcome. According to hard chain rules, thawed products should never be refrozen to avoid cold chain break. The temperature values to be applied in the it can change with the type of food.
In cases where the cold storage packaging is suspected to be broken, these products should be placed in the cold storage room reserved for them and marked. In addition, a report should be prepared about the products when it is broken. The degree of exposure, exposure time, type of product, previous storage conditions, and expiration date should be considered. After that, it should be decided whether or not the products will be used. If the products are agreed to be used after evaluating the above factors, they should be used as a priority and emergency. Products have been finalized for disposal decision and inspected and are stored outside the cold chain as labeled and in the record. If possible, they should be written on a separate package with the words “DISPOSAL – DO NOT USE.”
How to Prevent Cold Chain Break?
To avoid any interruption in cold chain transportation, paying attention to the above elements is necessary. When these situations are considered, and a quality refrigerant is used, it is unlikely that a temperature-controlled supply chain break will occur. Besides, it is necessary to know the procedures applied for unexpected situations. Because if something goes wrong logistically, the recovery of the stored products is essential to avert financial damage.
In sum, logistics companies must first have a good cooling unit and technology to perform well in their temperature-controlled supply chain systems. It is also essential for them to have special knowledge about the equipment related to cooling systems. In this way, they can plan what should be done when they encounter a cold chain break.
How Does Cold Chain Break Affect Food Safety?
Cold chain breaks can result in unusable or non-consumable products. It also causes financial damage to the brand that owns the product or undertakes its transportation. Transportation of a food product through the cold storage method can give us two key pieces of information about the material.
The product can only be stored in cold areas or is subject to long-term shipment. In both cases, for the product to remain in good condition and quality, it must be preserved under appropriate conditions.
When a break occurs, the food products often get through either physical or chemical reactions, which cause damage to the food. These break conditions should immediately be intervened before frozen products are thawing. The thawing process varies depending on the food product. Still, it is critical to take prompt action. With Greencooler refrigeration units, you can avoid risky shipments by making them safer and healthier.
Greencooler Products and Cold Chain Management
The cold storage system is a critical logistical need in the food and health industries. The commonality between these two sectors is their reliance on uninterrupted cold storage for their logistic operations. A break in this chain can lead to significant damage, potentially rendering products harmful for human consumption.
Understanding the gravity of a cold chain break, Greencooler has designed its products with the latest technology to ensure maximum reliability. Logistics providers must take immediate action in the unfortunate event of a hard chain break. Products that have begun to deteriorate must be registered and separated from the unaffected goods. Those unsuitable for use should be transported distinctly from those still in optimal condition. Greencooler’s commercial refrigerator models are crafted keeping these critical scenarios in mind, ensuring that businesses can manage such interruptions efficiently.
At Greencooler, our mission is to benefit users of this technology with our specially designed products. We offer diverse commercial refrigerators suitable for various situations and conditions, always adhering to the principle of innovation and change. Our refrigeration devices are the result of intensive R&D and professional engineering studies, catering to our users’ diverse needs and preferences. Trust in Greencooler for professional and reliable chain management.
You can reach our previous article from http://greencooler.international/wine-cooler-vs-fridge/
