{"id":1403,"date":"2026-04-21T14:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.benaglio.com\/cold-chain-break-what-it-means-and-how-to-prevent-it\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:17:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T13:17:14","slug":"cold-chain-break-what-it-means-and-how-to-prevent-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benaglio.com\/en\/cold-chain-break-what-it-means-and-how-to-prevent-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Cold chain break: what it means and how to prevent it."},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_override=”ex-full” bg_color_value=”#0289D1″ css=”.vc_custom_1776176909120{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 80px !important;}”][vc_column el_class=”gobold”][vc_custom_heading text=”Cold chain break: what it means and how to prevent it.” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23FFFFFF75″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1776780136116{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_custom_heading text=”What it means and how to avoid it in refrigerated transport.” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%23FFFFFF” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1776779742131{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1776780191622{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]In the transport of perishable food products, maintaining a constant temperature is not just good practice but a fundamental step in protecting the product\u2019s quality, safety and compliance. The so-called cold chain<\/strong> must be guaranteed at every stage, from storage to final delivery, and is considered an essential principle by European hygiene and health legislation. The ATP agreement also defines harmonised technical conditions for the transport of perishable goods.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What is a cold chain break?” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

A cold chain break<\/strong> occurs when a product that should remain at a controlled temperature undergoes a change in temperature \u2014 even a temporary one \u2014 during transport, loading, unloading or storage. In these cases, the freshness, shelf life and quality of the product may be reduced, with possible consequences for food safety too. EFSA also reminds us that perishable foods should be refrigerated promptly to below 5\u00b0C. <\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Why is it a problem that should not be underestimated?” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Incorrect temperature management can encourage microbial growth. Some pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes<\/strong>, can even multiply at low temperatures, which is why temperature control remains crucial even under refrigeration. For this reason, European legislation requires suitable facilities and procedures to maintain and monitor appropriate temperature conditions during food handling.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The most common causes of cold chain breaks” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Among the most frequent situations that can compromise the correct temperature are:<\/p>\n