Cold Chain Supply Management Definition
A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain. It is used to preserve and transport products which are sensitive to high or low temperatures, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, fresh foods and frozen foods. A cold chain can be either refrigerated or frozen, and requires careful planning and management to maintain the desired temperatures throughout the supply chain.
The term “cold chain” was first coined by Dr. F.W. Stocker in 1885, when he published a paper titled “On the Preservation of Foodstuffs” in the Transactions of the Society of Arts. In his paper, Stocker outlined a system for preserving food using icehouses and other temperature-controlled storage facilities.
Today, the term “cold chain” is used to describe any temperature-controlled supply chain, from farm to fork. The cold chain begins at the point of origin, where products are harvested or manufactured. These products are then transported to distribution centers or retail outlets via refrigerated trucks, ships or planes. Once at their destination, they are stored in temperature-controlled warehouses or shelves before being sold to consumers.
The challenge for businesses is ensuring that products remain within the desired temperature range throughout the entire supply chain. This requires close coordination between all parties involved in the transportation and storage of goods. Temperature fluctuations can occur at any point along the cold chain, which is why businesses must have systems in place to monitor and adjust temperatures as needed.
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