The lines between the pharmaceutical cold chain and temperature controlled foods have varied widely, although, in recent years, the lines have become blurred with the rise of stricter food safety regulations, including the U.S.'s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and the rise of nutraceuticals and cannabis-based products. A result of these trends is that the need for stricter standardization and controls has emerged. Although they are considered separate industries, the food and beverage sector and pharmaceuticals are in actuality similar in a number of aspects and each can learn a lot from one another.
With the increase and complexity of the global supply chain, the pharmaceutical cold chain and temperature-controlled shipping for the food industry have seen substantial growth over the last few years. It is no coincidence that the food industry is now beginning to look to pharma for guidance on best practices. The pharmaceutical industry has nearly 30 years of experience in managing complex control processes of the kind needed now in adjacent markets, so it provides a valuable reference point.