Alha Group and FAO Co-Present Perishable Cold Chain Panel at "Seeds2Foods 2026"
Alha Group and FAO Co-Present Perishable Cold Chain Panel at "Seeds2Foods 2026"
At the “From Seeds to Foods 2026” global exhibition hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at Rome's iconic Circus Maximus, Alha Group took center stage alongside the UN agency in the panel discussion "Cold Chain in Air Cargo: Moving Food Safely through Airport Hubs".
The session featured Dr. Ruggero Urbani (Fishery and Aquaculture Expert, FAO), Alha Group President & CEO Lorenzo Schettini Gherardini, and General Manager Alessandro Cappella. Conceptualized and moderated by Barbara Col (Marketing & Communications Manager, Alha Group), the debate provided the audience with an insider look into the complex operational and infrastructural dynamics of airport cargo hubs.
Key Panel Themes
Air freight serves as a vital bridge connecting catch areas directly with global consumer markets, enabling small-scale fishing communities in developing countries to access high-value global supply chains.
During the discussion co-presented with FAO, key pillars of perishable cold chain logistics were explored in depth:
- Refrigerated Infrastructure & Ramp Handling: The critical importance of airport Cool Centers and strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to eliminate thermal fluctuation risks during warehouse storage and ramp coordination.
- Technology Investments & Traceability: The systemic role of cargo handlers in ensuring continuous monitoring, full product traceability, and food safety throughout the entire journey.
- Sanitary Inspections & Food Loss Prevention: Seamless coordination between airport ground handlers and border inspection posts (PIF/UVAC) to ensure efficient, timely checks — preventing shipment rejections, curbing food loss, and combating food fraud.
- Italian Airport Competitiveness: An open perspective on the quality and positioning of Italian air cargo infrastructure within the European and global landscape.