Assessment of Cold Chain Management Practices in Dairy Product Distribution in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory

Cold chain integrity is essential for maintaining the microbiological safety and quality of perishable dairy products throughout distribution. In Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, the rapid growth of dairy product retail has outpaced the development of cold chain infrastructure, raising significant food safety concerns. This study assessed cold chain management practices in the distribution of pasteurised milk and yoghurt products across forty distribution nodes in Abuja, comprising manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Temperature monitoring was conducted using calibrated digital thermometers and data loggers over a six-week period. A structured observation protocol evaluated vehicle refrigeration adequacy, temperature monitoring practices, cold storage facility standards, and staff cold chain training levels. Microbiological quality of sampled products at each node was also assessed. Results revealed that temperature excursions above 8 degrees Celsius occurred in 58 percent of distribution vehicle trips and 44 percent of retail storage units. Total viable counts in milk samples collected at retail level were significantly higher than at the point of manufacture. Only 22 percent of distribution staff had received formal cold chain training. The study identifies vehicle refrigeration inadequacy and absence of temperature monitoring protocols as the most critical cold chain failures in Abuja's dairy distribution network. Recommendations include mandatory cold chain training, temperature logging requirements, and investment in appropriate refrigerated transport by dairy distributors. Keywords: cold chain, dairy, temperature, distribution, Abuja.