Monitoring the cold chain is essential to ensure the quality and efficacy of sensitive products. Modern temperature monitoring solutions for cold chain logistics provide supply chain managers with the data and evidence they need to transport temperature-sensitive products to the desired location. This data also enables managers to optimise their cold chain logistics by identifying and eliminating gaps and problem areas.
Cold chain logistics: an indispensable supply chain
The cold chain is the route that temperature-sensitive products take from production to the end consumer. These products can include food, beverages, horticultural products, laboratory samples, vaccines, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. The cold chain includes all products that require temperature management, whether by cooling or heating.
Companies that supply products that require temperature monitoring face many risks. In addition, there are government and industry-specific regulations that must be followed by players in the supply chain.
Risks and hazards in supply chain logistics
A single event with unfavourable temperatures is enough to destroy an entire stock of perishable, heat-sensitive goods. Some of the risks that can lead to such events in cold chain logistics are:
● Länger power interruptions
● Failure of refrigerators or freezers
● Human error, e.g. B. incorrect packaging of a product for shipping
● Temperature events that occur outside of business hours
● Lack of infrastructure to monitor and report incidents
Why are these risks so serious? Because the problems they cause are historically proven and the risk is widespread. Failures in the cold chain can not only be costly and disruptive, but also pose a danger to consumers.
In 2017, the global cold chain industry spent 13.4 billion US dollars exclusively on biopharmaceutical products. Unfortunately, 20% to 40% of products were damaged before reaching consumers. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that one-sixth of the American population contracts foodborne illnesses each year. Another study suggests that 40% of food waste in North America is due to supply chain failures, with improper storage being a major factor.
How to monitor risks in the cold chain
Temperature data loggers can help to minimise product damage caused by temperature fluctuations. We can categorise temperature data loggers (or data monitors) into two groups depending on how they work.
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Temperature indicators
These inexpensive devices emit an alarm when the temperature is below or above a specified range. They usually change colour, e.g. from white to red, when exposed to potentially harmful temperature values. They indicate but do not store data. They provide evidence that a system has or has not been affected by temperature fluctuations.
WarmMark is an easy-to-use time-temperature indicator from SpotSee that informs staff about unfavourable temperatures. WarmMark is suitable for many applications for monitoring the cold chain, e.g. for shipping food, chocolate, flowers, test samples, medicines and more. If the parcel becomes too warm - i.e. rises above the preset threshold - the indicator shows how long this has been the case so that you can assess the impact on the product.
WarmMark is also available in a customised COVID-19 TempControl package for test kits and vaccine shipments.
Variants of this temperature indicator include WarmMark Duo with two temperature monitoring thresholds and WarmMark Long Run with an extended time measurement of up to 168 hours.
Conversely, temperature indicators such as ColdMark visually indicate when an object has fallen below the preset temperature threshold. This means that it may have been susceptible to freezing damage.
Temperature data loggers
A temperature data logger is more sophisticated than a temperature indicator and is used when continuous temperature monitoring is required.
It also has one or more connectivity technologies to transmit or retrieve stored data. The transmission mode can be Bluetooth, USB, RFID or mobile radio. Find out about the benefits of the different connectivity options to choose the right temperature recorder for your business. A temperature data logger such as the tempmate -i1 continuously monitors all relevant data during transport. It was specially developed for the pharmaceutical cold chain. Thanks to its pre-programming, it is immediately ready for temperature monitoring. Its LED display ensures quick and clear feedback, allowing you to check the condition of your goods.
Keep control of your cold chain logistics with the right cold chain monitoring!
We support supply chain managers with the right products, from affordable single-use indicators to full-featured data loggers. To find the right temperature monitoring solution for your individual supply chain logistics requirements.
If you would like to find out more, book our free consultation via our booking tool. We look forward to receiving your enquiry.