By Niteen Yadav, Researcher, Nitisara

This blog will discuss the fundamental procedures used in cold storage operations, the main laws that control the sector, and the requirements that all Indian cold storage facilities must meet to operate effectively, safely, and legally.

A matrix to analyse cold storage

Building and operating a cold storage facility in India involves more than just maintaining low temperatures. Strict adherence to national and international standards is required to ensure food safety, product integrity, energy efficiency, and worker safety. The National Horticulture Board (NHB), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and international organizations like ISO, WHO, and Codex Alimentarius all provide frameworks that regulate cold storage operations. Cooling in cold storage isn’t just about lowering temperature — it’s a systematic process designed to preserve the quality, safety, and shelf life of perishable goods.

1. Pre-cooling, or initial rapid cooling: As a result, fresh vegetables lose field heat.
reduces respiration rate and spoiling. After harvest, it must be completed in a few hours.

2. Preparing Cold Storage: Items are carefully placed in cool rooms with adequate space for air to flow. Damaged or overripe products are frequently discarded to avoid contamination.

3. Establishing the Optimal Temperature and Humidity: Product-specific temperature (apples: 0°C, bananas: 13°C). Controlled to prevent dehydration; 85–95% humidity is ideal for fruits and vegetables. Proper configuration ensures optimal storage conditions.

4. Air Distribution and Circulation:  Fans and duct systems keep the storage area at a constant temperature. Prevents hot, humid conditions that lead to spoiling.

5. Constant Automation and Monitoring: Sensors measure CO₂, temperature, and humidity (in controlled atmosphere storage). Operators are alerted to any deviations by alarms. IoT-based remote monitoring may be available for modern systems.

6. Maintenance and Hygiene Checks: Cleaning coils, monitoring refrigerant levels, and making sure door seals are intact all help to maintain cooling efficiency. Maintaining hygiene stops pest infestation and bacterial growth.

7. Gradual Unloading: To prevent condensation or “sweating,” which leads to deterioration, products are allowed to come into contact with room temperature before they are removed.

Different types of cold storage based on the products

●  Bulk Cold Storage: Holds a single kind of commodity in bulk. Typical Products: apples, potatoes, and onions. Features include a large storage volume, minimal compartmentalisation, and a simple design.

●  Multi-Commodity Cold Storage: Holds a variety of perishable goods with varying storage requirements. Typical Products: Dairy, spices, fruits, and vegetables. Features: Separate temperature and humidity control for each chamber.

●  Frozen Storage: Maintains goods at below-freezing temperatures for extended preservation. Meat, seafood, frozen vegetables, and ice cream are examples of common products. Contains blast freezers and deep freezers; maintains temperatures between -18°C and -25°C.

●  Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage: By changing the gas composition (O₂, CO₂, N₂) in storage, CA prolongs shelf life. Typical Products: pears, apples, and some berries. Strict regulation of humidity, temperature, and atmospheric makeup.

●  Modified Atmosphere Storage: Not quite as exact as CA storage. frequently employed for short-distance transportation. Typical Products: Fruits and vegetables in packaging.
Features include altered gas ratios that are typically enclosed in containers or film.

●  Portable or Modular Cold Storage
Useful for small-scale storage in semi-urban or rural locations. Common Products are Milk, fish, and fresh produce.
portable, energy-efficient, frequently containerised or solar-powered.

●  Ripening Chambers: Designed to artificially ripen fruits in a controlled environment. Mangoes and bananas are common products. For safe ripening, ethylene gas and regulated temperature, and humidity are used.

●  Pre-Cooling Units: Rapidly reduce the temperature of recently harvested produce in preparation for storage. Flowers, leafy vegetables, and berries are common products. Crucial for preserving freshness throughout initial handling and transportation.

Regulatory Approvals and Compliance Mechanisms

Subject to the provisions of the Variation Clause, only those cold storage projects that conform to the prescribed technical standards will be eligible for the Central Government Subsidy. To verify this, the following mechanism needs to be put in place-

System of Letter of Intent (LoI)

A LoI to be obtained by the promoter before undertaking the construction of cold storage needs to be introduced. An application for a Letter of Intent must be accompanied by the following documents, in addition to any other documents prescribed- 

1. A copy of the detailed project report
2. Information in the prescribed Basic Data Sheet accompanied by requisite documents will be scrutinized Technical scrutiny of the above documents will be undertaken to ensure that the project is in conformity with the prescribed technical standards or that any variation is fully justified, keeping in view the product to be stored, prescribed storage conditions, energy efficiency, and environmental and safety concerns.

Civil Structure

The promoter must submit the following documents in respect of civil construction

1. Certificate of approval of the building plan by the local planning authority,
2. A certificate issued by a registered civil design engineer about conformity with relevant BIS Standards and prescribed standards, and safety concerns.
3. Certificate by site engineer/architect to the effect of construction of the civil structure as per approved building plan and design, and completion of the civil components accordingly in all respects as per the prescribed plan and standards.

Thermal Insulation & Refrigeration System, Control and Safety Devices

 The components of the insulation and refrigeration system should be certified in the form of a technical data sheet by the manufacturer, confirming the rating and performance as per prescribed standards.

1.  Further, site inspection at appropriate stages of construction/erection and commissioning may be undertaken by an inspection team constituted by the competent authority for this purpose. Finally, the manufacturer/refrigeration contracting agency will issue a certificate of satisfactory commissioning of the cooling system in conformance with the performance indicators as per prescribed standards.
2.  The manufacturer/refrigeration contracting agency will also provide “as-built drawings”, including cold store layout, P&I and electrical drawing, and an operation & maintenance manual along with a list of essential spare parts.
3.  A set of above documents along with the refrigeration system performance certificate issued by the refrigeration company/contracting agency, duly signed by an authorized graduate engineer of the company/agency, must be submitted to competent authority for record and a copy of the same must be issued to the promoter/owner of the project.

Government schemes or subsidies

The Indian government provides a number of programs and incentives to support cold storage facilities. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana is a well-known program that offers funding for the establishment of integrated cold chains, which include refrigerated transportation, pack houses, and cold storage. Depending on the area, entrepreneurs may be eligible for subsidies of up to 35–50% of the project cost under this program. Through capital investment subsidies, the National Horticulture Board (NHB) also encourages the establishment of cold storage facilities. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, or NABARD, provides loans and other financial assistance for the establishment of cold storage facilities in rural areas. State governments also have their own programs and rewards. Some provide cold storage firms cheaper power rates, tax breaks, or land for lease.

Indian standards for cold storage

National Horticulture Board (NHB) Guidelines:

 The NHB has issued Technical Standards for Cold Storages, which are widely used as a benchmark.

• Temperature & humidity norms depending on the produce
• Design aspects like: Insulation thickness (PUF: 100–150 mm), Floor insulation (XPS/PUF), Refrigeration systems (ammonia/freon-based), Air circulation standards
• Backup power (DG sets, UPS)
• Fire safety, pest control, and drainage
• Energy efficiency norms

FSSAI Requirements (Food Storage):

If you’re storing food (dairy, meat, processed food, etc.), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines apply:

• Maintain required temperature & humidity levels
• Regular monitoring & logging of temperatures
• Sanitation & pest control
• Traceability & labelling
• Food-grade construction materials
• Employee hygiene

Pharmaceutical Cold Storage (GMP + CDSCO + WHO Guidelines)

If storing medicines/vaccines:

• Temperature: 2°C to 8°C (for vaccines)
• WHO GDP (Good Distribution Practices)
• Clean rooms, air handling units
• Temperature monitoring & alarms
• Data loggers & backup systems

The BIS and IS also make their own standards that can be found in the code of the stored product. All the different products have different humidity and temperature requirements. For further detailed instructions, go through the given steps. First, find the Product Type and then select relevant IS/NHB/FSSAI/CDSCO guidelines. Use the provided Design specs provided by the guidelines

Internationally, countries follow stringent standards such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), ISO 22000 (food safety management), and BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) to ensure product safety and quality. These require detailed documentation, trained personnel, and automation. In contrast, India’s regulatory focus is catching up through organizations like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), but enforcement remains inconsistent.

The views expressed do not represent the company’s position on the matterStay informed through the Nitisara Platform and Blogs, and adapt to emerging trends that are poised to thrive in the competitive global marketplace.- https://nitisara.org/category/blogs-updates/