What is the cold chain?
The unbroken run of correct temperature from where something was made to where it's used. "Breaking the cold chain" means it warmed up somewhere along the way. Full explanation →
Why it matters when you shop
An unbroken run of 2–8 °C from the moment something is made to the moment it is used: the manufacturer's fridge, the courier's box, your fridge, your cooler. Every gap is a temperature excursion, and the damage adds up; it does not reset. Most of the storage and travel categories exists to close the gaps you control.
What to look for on the listing
- A thermometer with min/max memory in the fridge, so you know the range not just the moment.
- A cooler whose run time covers your longest gap, with a logger for anything over a day.
- Light-blocking storage: light degrades as surely as heat.
Go deeper
- Guide: Storing and traveling with temperature-sensitive vials
- Comparison: Powered Cooler Vs Ice Pack Cooler
- Tool: Product Finder for this category
- All terms: the glossary
Products where this number appears
Mini Fridge How it cools: thermoelectricVial Storage Case How it cools: noneBac Water & Vial Fridge Case How it cools: noneLockable Medicine Box How it cools: noneInsulated Medication Travel Case How it cools: ice-packSlim Reusable Ice Packs How it cools: ice-packEvaporative Cooling Wallet How it cools: evaporativeElectric Insulin Cooler How it cools: thermoelectric
Reviewed 2026-09-03. Definitions describe equipment, not treatment. Affiliate links open your own country's Amazon store; your price is the same.