From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities which maintain a given temperature range. It is used to help extend and ensure the shelf life of products such as fresh agricultural produce,[1] seafood, frozen food, photographic film, chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs.[2] Such products, during transport and when in transient storage, are called cool cargo.[3] Unlike other goods or merchandise, cold chain goods are perishable and always en route towards end use or destination, even when held temporarily in cold stores and hence commonly referred to as cargo during its entire logistics cycle.

That about sums it up. 🙂