Press Release

U.S. Cold Chain Seminar Promotes Best Practices

The China Cold Chain Best Practices Seminar was held on Friday, October 25, in Guangzhou.  This capped a three city tour which included Shanghai and Chengdu.  Overall financial sponsorship for the seminars was provided by the United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA), and overall China lead coordination was provided by the U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou’s Agricultural Trade Office, working with the Commercial Office.  The Global Cold Chain Alliance and Guangdong Logistics Association Cold Chain Committee provided logistical support in Guangzhou.  Some 240 participants came to learn the latest in best cold chain practices that spanned refrigeration, warehousing and transportation, among other issues.  A cold chain is an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities which can maintain a given temperature range to extend and ensure the shelf life of products such as fresh agricultural produce, processed foods and drugs. 

Opening remarks were made by Ms. Ireas Cook, Commercial Consul of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service; Ms. Joani Dong, Director for the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service’s Agricultural Trade Office; Mr. Huang Jianming, Deputy Director of the Guangdong Economic and Trade Committee; and Mr. Liang Xun Director of the Services Division of the Asian Games Committee while Mr. Andrew Gately, Commercial Officer of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service made closing remarks.  Several experts from major cold chain companies  including Ingersoll Rand, Americold, England Logistics, Procuro, Food Tech, Vilter and Accellos, not to mention Food and Drug Administration gave presentations on topics including logistics, transportation, traceability, compressor technology, safety and quality in the cold chain process.

In U.S. Consul General Brian L. Goldbeck’s opening remarks, he stated: “This seminar is an example of win-win cooperation as it will strengthen cold chain development and serve as a platform to share insights and experiences, including best practices and lessons learned.  In this regard, a better cold chain industry can safeguard and improve food safety while promoting U.S.–China agricultural and food products trade.  And, to put the value of cold chain technology and this seminar in concrete terms, the upcoming Asian Games will give Guangzhou an opportunity to present itself as a cosmopolitan city with world class cuisine and restaurants serving fresh, safe food made possible through improved cold chain technology."