What is cold chain? It is a process that involves maintaining and storing temperature-sensitive products at a specific temperature from production to consumption. This system ensures the safe preservation of food, medicine, and biotechnological products.
What is cold chain? It is a process in which special cooling systems, temperature tracking devices, and appropriate packaging methods are used to maintain product quality. Any deviation in temperature values during this process can cause products to spoil and lose their effectiveness.
Cold Chain Transportation
Cold chain is the process of preserving temperature-sensitive products at a specific temperature and ensuring their storage from the production stage to consumption. The process is crucial in preserving temperature-sensitive foods such as meat, milk, fish, and frozen products, where temperature plays a significant role. In terms of food safety, temperature fluctuations can cause products to lose their nutritional value, which may pose a health risk.
The following points should be considered in the transportation process:
- Temperature tracking
- Goods acceptance control
- Proper storage
- Continuity of the cold chain
- In-vehicle temperature control
- Packaging
- Compliance with legal regulations
- Consumer support
- Fast delivery
- Training and inspection
The spoilage time of foods varies depending on storage and transportation temperatures. For example, fresh meat and fish should be kept between 0-4°C. The answer to the question how many hours does food spoil depends on temperature fluctuations.
The transportation process of food begins with the goods acceptance stage, during which temperature tracking is conducted. Incoming products are inspected by the responsible goods acceptance personnel of the retail company and stored at appropriate temperatures. Some retail points offer frozen food bags and thermal protection bags to consumers for the transport of temperature-sensitive foods without breaking the cold chain, helping to preserve the cold chain.
It is crucial to determine the correct storage temperature for foods, as their spoilage time depends on temperature fluctuations. Frozen foods should be stored at -18°C. If the cold chain is broken, the ice melts, creating a breeding ground for microorganisms. This situation endangers food safety.
Moreover, consumers must also store these products at the correct temperature. Proper storage processes and maintaining food at the right temperature are crucial for food safety.
Cold Chain Logistics
Cold chain logistics involves a process where the cold chain must be maintained to preserve the freshness and safety of food.
Some foods are highly perishable, such as dairy products, fish, and meat. Due to their perishability, these foods must be transported at the appropriate temperatures. If not stored under suitable conditions, their freshness and chemical structures deteriorate.
Food products are stored in different temperature sections within markets based on their specific temperature requirements. For example, dairy products should be kept at 0-4°C, fresh meat and fish at 0-2°C, and frozen foods at -18°C or below. Additionally, food products must be continuously monitored using various methods to prevent temperature fluctuations.
According to legal regulations, food must be transported and stored at designated temperatures. This is a mandatory requirement for businesses. Incoming products must be inspected by the responsible goods acceptance personnel of the retail company to ensure they meet the required storage conditions. At this stage, physical, sensory, and chemical analyses of the products must also be conducted. Products stored improperly may undergo physical, sensory, and chemical degradation, so frequent temperature monitoring is necessary.
To support the preservation of the cold chain, markets and retail points provide consumers with frozen food bags and thermal protection bags. The use of these bags becomes crucial, especially when shopping during the summer months, ensuring that food remains safe until it reaches home.
Cold chain logistics is a process that requires attention from both producers and consumers. Errors in this process can lead to food waste and pose health risks.
For more detailed information about cold chain and its importance, you can contact Teknotek.
