An overview of current status of cold chain in China

Abstract

An overview of the current status of the cold chain in China was conducted. First, food waste and losses in China were outlined, which is caused partly by the incomplete cold chain facilities in China. The problems relating to food preservation and safety in China were stated, in conjunction with rapid increase of China's frozen food production in recent years. Moreover, the relevant governmental policies supporting the development of cold chain are also introduced. The current status of different stages of cold chain in China were reviewed briefly. The application and development of technologies, facilities and devices along the cold chain, including pre-cooling, freezing, cold storage, refrigerated transportation, distribution, refrigerated trucks, cold warehouses, home refrigerators and freezers are discussed. Refrigerants currently utilized and future trends in cold chain were also presented. Furthermore, the quotas for refrigerants, R22 and R141b, consumed within cold chain are also presented. Additionally, regulations and standards relating to the cold chain were summarized. Some important research activities related to the cold chain conducted in recent years were introduced.