What is a Cold Chain?

• A cold chain is a specialized supply chain designed for perishable goods, vaccines, drugs, chemicals, and other temperature-sensitive products that must be kept at a controlled temperature from manufacturing to final delivery.
• This process involves maintaining consistent refrigeration throughout both storage and transport, ensuring that temperature-sensitive goods remain within the required temperature and humidity levels. 
• In cold chain logistics, it is crucial to consider product stability, packaging, transportation, monitoring, and adherence to minimum temperature requirements.
• Cold chain technology, utilizing methods like gel packs, dry ice, liquid nitrogen, and reefers (refrigerated containers), ensures precise temperature control.
• The use of refrigerated trucks is vital for maintaining the cold chain during transportation, safeguarding the integrity of the products
• Additionally, cold storage facilities and refrigeration units play a crucial role in maintaining the required temperature for items such as dairy products and fresh produce.

To enhance the cold chain management and the integrity of shipments, FedEx provides: 

• Temperature-Controlled Packaging and Container Solutions: Ensuring that shipments remain at the required temperature throughout the journey.
• Visibility and Secure Precision Tracking: Utilizing sensor-based devices for real-time tracking and monitoring.
• 24/7 Monitoring and Intervention: Continuous oversight to address any issues that arise during transit.
• Priority Handling and Boarding: Giving priority to temperature-sensitive shipments to minimize delays.
• Quality Management: Ensuring regulatory compliance through rigorous quality controls.
• Contingency Management: Including services like dry ice replenishment to maintain temperature control.

Extended Shelf Life: Proper cold chain management helps extend the shelf life of temperature-sensitive products, ensuring they remain effective and safe for consumption.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Adhering to temperature requirements helps meet regulatory standards, which is crucial for supply chain management.

Improved Customer Satisfaction: Reliable cold chain shipping enhances customer satisfaction by ensuring products arrive in optimal condition.

Reduction of Waste: Effective cold chain logistics reduce spoilage and waste, particularly for fresh produce and dairy products.

The information provided in this document does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal and/or business advice; instead, the information contained herein is for general informational purposes only. Readers of this document should contact their own advisor to obtain advice with respect to any particular matter or topic addressed herein. The content in this document is provided on an “as is” basis; FedEx makes no warranties or representations in relation to the currency, accuracy and/or sufficiency of the information set out herein and shall not be liable for any reliance placed on the same.  For the avoidance of doubt, any and all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this document are hereby expressly disclaimed.