Why Cold Chain Delivery Is More Important Than Most People Realize
Delivery, on the surface, seems straight to the point. There is the pick up, the delivery, and the drop-off.
However, with food, vaccines, blood, and even some chemicals, not just any delivery will suffice. The delivery system has to ensure that the items being transported to not only arrive on time, but also remain at the right temperature throughout the duration of the trip. Otherwise, they may spoil, lose effectiveness, and even become hazardous. Cold chain logistics is what is at work, but it is not just any delivery. It is a system that delivers protective measures in a systematic way to the goods that are sensitive to temperature throughout the duration of the trip.
This part of the industry is developing rapidly. GMI Research is optimistic about the Kenya Cold Chain Market as it focuses on the positive CAGR during the forecast window up to 2031. This development illustrates the growing importance of logistics services that are temperature controlled, especially in the healthcare industry and food security.
What does Cold Chain Logistics mean?
As Cold Chain Logistics is really just a temperature controlled supply chain.
There are certain products that must remain in a certain temperature window. This window is in effect from the point of production to the point of consumption and end use. This window is about 59 degrees Fahrenheit, while other products may require even extreme temperatures of -230 degrees Fahrenheit.
The goal is to avoid waste and maintain the integrity and safety of the product.
The Components of a Cold Chain System
The logistics of the cold chain supply are systematic and coordinated.
Starting at the manufacturers.
This is where it all begins. It begins at the farms and the pharmaceutical plants, and healthcare facilities. These are the initial sources of temperature-sensitive products.
Before Products are transported, They are kept in They are kept in specialized warehouses that have cold storage. These facilities also have cold storage rooms and deep freezers that Constantly maintain strict temperature control'.
Packaging
When considering packaging, there are various materials involved which may include dry ice, insulated containers, and polystyrene materials that help control the temperatures of the contents for protection during the transit process.
Refrigerated Trucks
These specially made vehicles aid in the cooling of products while in transit, maintaining the quality of the products throughout the duration of their journey.
Tracking and Monitoring
Tracking technology has become very advanced, as has the technology for monitoring how the products are being stored throughout the shipment. As a result, businesses are able to know the exact location of a shipment and the temperature levels at which it is being stored.
Last-Mile Delivery
The last step of the process which is often the most critical step as this transit phase is highly susceptible to delays resulting from traffic and weather it is critical that the shipment is handled with care.
What Actually Needs Cold Chain Delivery?
The list of products which must be temperature controlled may shock you.
Blood and Lab Samples
Chemicals and cellular materials will react and degrade regardless of the test being performed.
Organ Transplants
The degradation of the cells of the organ will significantly alter the attribute of the organ, which is why it will be packaged in insulated containers with cooling material to control the temperature during transit.
Vaccines
The effectiveness and safety of vaccines are highly dependent on how the vaccine is stored.
Chilled Food and Transport New Test
Presentation alone isn't enough to attract customers, and advertising chilled foods isn't practical. Each type of chilled food has its own optimum transport temperature and retention period, which is known as its 'Chilled Food Guideline' (CFG). Food quality depends on both temperature and time. A food temperature-monitoring system is established to record food temperature along the supply chain. The customer is made aware through visual indications on the food packaging.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Cooling reduces deterioration, including spoilage, and discoloration, bruising, and the growth of mold. Some refrigerated transport products are broccoli, apples, berries, carrots, and cucumbers.
Dairy Products
Milk, cream, yogurt, and cheese spoil easily.
Eggs
Refrigeration reduces the chance of contamination and extends the shelf life of the eggs.
Frozen Foods and Desserts
These products must remain frozen. Any thawing, even partial, can promote bacterial growth and compromise the quality and safety of the product.
Meat, Poultry, and Seafood
These products are highly perishable. Without temperature control, the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli is rapid.
Cakes and Pastries
Cream, fruit, or other certain linen-like frostings use foods that spoil easily, and therefore require refrigeration. Some of the other linen-type frostings also use perishable ingredients.
Chemicals
Refrigerated storage is required for some chemicals as they can become dangerous when they warm up. Gases can be formed, and there can be risks of combustion.
Why Cold Chain Logistics Matters So Much
Cold chain logistics means more than just avoiding spoilage of food along the way. It also means saving the lives of people along the journey, as well as saving the businesses' money and people while saving the good quality of food to customers.
Because of the lack of means to control the temperature of the products, there is a chance of the entire transport of the products to be a total loss. Loss of money, risk of safety from the products, and loss to the environment.
The cold chain system supports logistics for pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, and frozen goods. In modern supply chains, it is essential and often overlooked. As frozen goods, fresh produce, and pharmaceutical goods are increasingly in demand in Kenya and beyond, the importance and need for cold chain logistics will continue to grow.
