what is cold chain
Cold chain refers to the special supply of certain products in the process of processing, storage, transportation, distribution, retail, and use, and all links are always in the specific low temperature environment necessary for the product to reduce loss, prevent pollution and deterioration, and ensure product safety. chain system.
The cold chain has been deeply integrated into people’s lives. It can be said that every aspect of our life is inextricably linked with the cold chain. This “chain” applies to a very wide range, including primary agricultural products, processed foods, and special commodities (such as medicines, vaccines), etc. Of course, the most closely related to life is the cold chain food. Refrigerated and frozen foods are always in the specified low temperature environment in the cold chain logistics, which can ensure food quality and reduce food loss.
The storage period of food transported by cold chain logistics is one to several times longer than that of ordinary refrigerated food. Controlling the temperature through the circulation link can effectively reduce the growth of microorganisms and food spoilage. At the same time, in the process of cold chain logistics, through the method of gas regulation, the breathing state of fruits and vegetables after picking is suppressed, so as to achieve the effect of keeping fruits and vegetables fresh. It can be seen that cold chain logistics plays an important role in improving our quality of life and convenience.
So, what is the core magic weapon 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 that has precise requirements on the humidity and temperature of stored items, and “controlled atmosphere cold storage” that plays the role of controlled atmosphere preservation.
The so-called controlled atmosphere preservation is to reduce the oxygen concentration in the air from 21% to 3%~5%. On the basis of the cold storage, a set of controlled atmosphere system is added to utilize the combined effect of temperature and oxygen content control. Reach the breathing state of fruits and vegetables after harvesting.
Secondly, cold chain storage is also an essential component, which is generally used for fresh agricultural products.
The third is cold chain transmission. At a certain temperature, through the use of the required transmission machinery, containers, etc., the sorting and packaging of fresh agricultural products can be achieved.
The fourth is cold chain loading and unloading, which is a very important and difficult step. When refrigerating and freezing items, the unloading vehicle and the unloading warehouse should be sealed to ensure that the temperature rise of the items during unloading is controlled within the allowable range. When the unloading operation is interrupted, the door of the transport equipment compartment should be closed immediately to keep the refrigeration system in normal operation.
The fifth is cold chain transportation, which is an important link in cold chain logistics. The cost of cold chain transportation is relatively high, and it includes more complex mobile refrigeration technology and incubator manufacturing technology. Cold chain transportation management involves more risks and uncertainties.
In order to realize the automatic and efficient operation of the whole process of cold chain logistics, the use of information technology is indispensable, that is, the information control of cold chain. Information technology is the nervous system of modern cold chain logistics. With the support of the system information platform, it is easy to realize strategic collaborative management of all 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 an environment of minus 20°C, the virus can survive for several months, and even in ordinary cold chain transportation, the virus can survive for several weeks. If contaminated items, including food or outer packaging, are transported through cold chains in areas with high incidence of the new crown epidemic, the virus can be brought to non-epidemic areas, causing contact transmission.
However, no new coronavirus infection caused by direct consumption of cold chain food has been found so far. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus, which is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact between people, and the possibility of infection through the digestive tract is very low. From the analysis of epidemiological traceability, the infected group is a high-risk group who is repeatedly exposed to the outer packaging of imported cold chain food in a specific environment, such as porters.
Many authoritative experts have stated that my country has entered the stage of normalizing the prevention and control of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and there is no need to panic over the recent cases in several regions. But it needs to be emphasized that winter provides a more suitable environment for the spread of the new coronavirus relying on cold chain logistics, so “prevention of people also requires defense of objects.”
In terms of “prevention”, the inspection and quarantine of the cold chain is a link that needs special attention. It is necessary to establish a standardized and orderly food inspection and quarantine work, arrange special personnel to manage the transportation work with large transportation volume, long distance and high probability of pollution, do a good job in routine cleaning, disinfection and other sanitation treatments, and implement real-time monitoring and temperature recording of cold chain logistics Work to ensure that the quality status of food meets the requirements during transportation and ensure the safety and hygiene of imported food.
Post time: Mar-01-2023