What is the cold chain?

What is cold chain?

Cold chain refers to a special supply chain system in which certain products are processed, stored, transported, distributed, retailed and used in a specific low-temperature environment necessary for the products to reduce loss, prevent contamination and deterioration, and ensure product safety.

Cold chain has been deeply integrated into people's lives,cold chain and it can be said that all aspects of our lives are inextricably linked with cold chain. The scope of application of this "chain" is very wide, including primary agricultural products, processed food, special commodities (such as medicines, vaccines) and so on. Of course, the closest intersection with life is still the cold chain food. Refrigerated and frozen food is always under the specified low-temperature environment in the cold chain logistics, which can ensure the quality of food and reduce the loss of food.

Foods transported by cold chain logistics have a storage period one to several times longer than that of ordinary refrigerated foods.cold warehouse By controlling the temperature in the circulation link, microbial growth and food corruption can be effectively reduced. At the same time, in the process of cold chain logistics, through the method of gas regulation, inhibit the respiratory state of fruits and vegetables after picking, so as to achieve the effect of fruit and vegetable freshness. It can be seen that cold chain logistics plays an important role in improving the quality and convenience of our life.

So, what is the core of cold chain logistics? Where is the key to its value?

First of all, one of the core components of cold chain logistics is "temperature control and heat preservation", which includes constant temperature and humidity cold storage with precise requirements on humidity and temperature of stored goods, and "air-conditioned cold storage" with air-conditioned freshness preservation function.

The so-called air-conditioning freshness, is the oxygen concentration in the air from 21% down to 3% to 5%, on the basis of cold storage, adding a set of air-conditioning system, the use of temperature and control of oxygen content of the two aspects of the common role, to achieve the respiratory state of fruits and vegetables after harvest.

Secondly, cold chain warehousing is also an essential component, generally used for fresh produce category.

Third, cold chain transmission. Under a certain temperature, through the use of the required transmission machinery and equipment, utensils, etc., to achieve the classification of fresh agricultural products picking, packaging.

Fourth, cold chain loading and unloading, which is a very important and difficult step. Refrigerated, frozen items should be unloaded vehicles and unloading warehouse sealing treatment, to ensure that unloading during the temperature of the items to control the rise in the permissible range. Unloading operations interrupted, to instantly close the door of the transport equipment compartment, to maintain the normal operation of the refrigeration system.

Fifth, cold chain transportation, which is an important link in cold chain logistics. Cold chain transportation cost is higher, and contains more complex mobile refrigeration technology and insulation box manufacturing technology, cold chain transportation management contains more risks and uncertainties.

To make the whole process of cold chain logistics realize automatic and efficient operation, the use of information technology is inevitable, that is, the information control of cold chain. Information technology is the nervous system of modern cold chain logistics. Through the support of systematic information platform, it is easy to realize the strategic collaborative management of all the resources of the enterprise, reduce the cost of cold chain logistics, and improve the market competitiveness and management level of cold chain logistics enterprises.

Can cold chain food still be eaten?

Generally speaking, the lower the temperature, the longer the virus survives. In the environment of -20℃, the virus can survive for several months, and even in ordinary cold chain transportation, the virus can survive for several weeks. In the case of contaminated items, including foodstuffs or overpacks, transported in the cold chain in areas with high incidence of New Crown outbreaks, the virus can be carried to non-infected areas, thus causing contact transmission.

However, no neocoronavirus infection has been identified as a result of direct consumption of cold-chained food. Neocoronaviruses are respiratory viruses that are mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and close human-to-human contact, and the possibility of infection through the gastrointestinal tract is very low. From the epidemiological traceability analysis, the infected people are high-risk groups who repeatedly contact the outer packaging of imported cold-chained food in specific environments, such as porters and so on.

In terms of "prevention", the inspection and quarantine of the cold chain is a link that requires special attention. It is necessary to establish a standardized and orderly food inspection and quarantine work, arrange special personnel to manage the transportation of large quantities, long distances and high probability of contamination of the transportation work, do a good job of routine cleaning, disinfection and other sanitary treatment, and the implementation of real-time monitoring of cold-chain logistics and temperature records, to ensure that the quality of the food in the process of transportation meets the requirements to protect the safety and health of imported food.

supply chain system transported food cold chain logistics

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