What is the cold chain
Cold chain refers to the special supply chain system in which certain products are in the process of processing, storage, transportation, distribution, retail and use. Each link is always in the specific low temperature environment necessary for the product, so as to reduce loss, prevent pollution and deterioration and ensure the safety of the product.
The cold chain has been deeply integrated into people's life. It can be said that every aspect of our life is inextricably linked with the cold chain.
This "chain" applies to a wide range of products, including primary agricultural products, processed foods, specialty goods (such as medicines, vaccines), etc.
Of course, cold chain food is closely connected with life. Frozen and frozen food is always in the specified low temperature environment in the cold chain logistics, which can guarantee the quality of food 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. The temperature can be controlled through the circulation link to effectively reduce the growth of microorganisms and food spoilage.
At the same time, in the process of cold chain logistics, the breathing state of fruits and vegetables after picking is inhibited by the method of gas regulation, so as to achieve the effect of fruit and vegetables freshness preservation.
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?
What is the key to its value?
First of all, one of the core components of cold chain logistics is "temperature control insulation", including constant temperature and humidity cold storage which has requirements on the humidity and temperature of stored goods and "air conditioning cold storage" which plays the role of air conditioning fresh-keeping.
The so-called air conditioning freshness preservation, is to reduce the oxygen concentration in the air from 21% to 3%~5%, on the basis of the cold storage, add a set of air conditioning system, the use of temperature and control of oxygen content of the two aspects of the joint action, to achieve the fruits and vegetables after the respiratory state.
Secondly, cold chain storage is also an essential part, generally used for fresh agricultural products.
Third, cold chain transmission.
In a certain temperature, through the use of the required transmission machinery and equipment, utensils, to achieve the classification of fresh agricultural products selection, packaging.
Fourth, cold chain loading and unloading, which is very important and difficult to operate.
When refrigerating or freezing the goods, the unloading vehicle and unloading warehouse shall be sealed to ensure that the temperature rise of the goods is controlled within the allowable range during unloading.
When the unloading operation is interrupted, the compartment door of the transportation equipment shall be closed immediately to keep the refrigeration system in normal operation.
Fifth, cold chain transportation, which is an important link in cold chain logistics.
Cold chain transportation has high cost, and contains more complex mobile refrigeration technology and incubator manufacturing technology. Cold chain transportation management contains more risks and uncertainties.
In order to realize automatic and efficient operation of the whole process of cold chain logistics, it is necessary to use information technology, that is, information control of the 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 the strategic collaborative management of all resources of enterprises, reduce the cost of cold chain logistics, and improve the market competitiveness and management level of cold chain logistics enterprises.
Is cold chain food still edible?
In general, the colder the temperature, the longer the virus can live.
The virus can survive for months in temperatures of -20 ° C, and can survive for weeks even with normal cold-chain transport.
Contaminated items, including food or packaging, transported through the cold chain in an area with a high incidence of NCSPI can carry the virus to an uninfected area, causing contact transmission.
However, no novel coronavirus infection has been found due to direct consumption of cold-chain foods.
Novel coronavirus is a respiratory virus that is transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets and close person-to-person contact. The likelihood of infection through the digestive tract is very low.
According to epidemiological traceability analysis, infected people are high-risk people, such as porters, who repeatedly contact the outer packaging of imported cold chain food in a specific environment.
Several authoritative experts have said that China has entered the stage of normal prevention and control of CoviD-19 epidemic, and there is no need to be too alarmed by the recent cases in several regions.
But what needs to be emphasized is that winter provides a more suitable environment for novel coronavirus to spread relying on cold chain logistics, so "preventing people also needs to prevent things".
In the aspect of "prevention", the inspection and quarantine of the cold chain is a link that needs special attention.
To establish a standardized and orderly food inspection and quarantine work, arrangement of personnel management of large volume, high probability distance and pollution transport work, to do regular cleaning, sanitization, and implement real-time monitoring of cold-chain logistics and temperature recording work, to ensure the quality of food in the process of transportation condition meets the requirements, to ensure the safety of imported food hygiene.