# cold chain

*Last updated: 2026-06-23*

> A cold chain is the unbroken maintenance of a defined temperature range for perishable goods from the point of production through to final delivery.

A cold chain is the unbroken maintenance of a defined temperature range for perishable goods from the point of production through to final delivery. Typical ranges are 2–8 °C for fresh food and medicines, and −18 °C or below for frozen products. Any gap in the chain—at a transhipment point, in a warehouse, or during a customs inspection—puts product safety, shelf life, and regulatory compliance at risk. Refrigerated vehicles, actively cooled containers, and continuous digital temperature logging form the technical backbone. ATP certification for vehicles and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) for pharmaceutical products are the internationally recognised regulatory benchmarks. The cold chain differs from cold chain logistics in that it describes the physical principle of uninterrupted temperature control, whereas cold chain logistics refers to the broader organisational and documentary management of the entire supply network.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_chain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_chain)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | cold chain |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 135 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-23 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_chain |

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*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/cold-chain-4](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/cold-chain-4)*

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