Do you know what a cold chain system is? and How is the cold chain applied to the production process?
The cold chain system is an attempt to maintain the freshness of fish by applying low temperatures close 0oC, starting from the reception, production, to the distribution process of fish into the hands of consumers.
The utilization of low temperatures is good for inhibiting the decay process, why? It’s because by using the low temperatures, the growth of microbes or bacteria can be inhibited or even kill, and it also can maintain the freshness of the fishery products. The low temperatures is carried out by using ice and the freezing process.
- 1. Receipt of raw materials
The process of receiving raw materials from suppliers is usually transported by using a thermo car so that cold temperatures can be monitored and controlled. The average temperature used in the process of transporting fish is -18oC.
- 2. Product Processing
The product processing is carried out in a factory with a controlled room temperature (Maximum 22oC). Then for the the product is using ice. The product temperature must be maintained and controlled close to the maximum at 4oC. This has been implemented in accordance with the SOP imposed by PT Kelola Laut Nusantara .
- 3. Product Freezing
After all the product processing procedures are handled, through a good cold chain system in accordance with the applicable SOP, the next cold chain process is the product freezing process. Freezing process is carried out using ABF (Air Blast Freezer) and the ABF temperature used is -40C for ±8 hours.
- 4. Storage
The purpose of storage is to strive the product to always be in a low freezing temperature condition, in order to maintain all the desired quality factors
- 5. Shipment
Before the container is used, it is cleaned and then the temperature is lowered to -18oC. For loading and stacking carried out carefully, taking into account the boundary line of the container, loading should not exceed the boundary line in the container. This is done so that the cooling air circulation in the refrigeration system can rotate to fill the surface of the master carton (product).
