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Free cold chain temperature log

Free cold chain temperature log (PDF-ready). Monitor fridge, freezer and transport temperatures, target ranges and corrective action.

Updated 5 July 2026

Cold Chain Temperature Log

Refrigeration and cold-storage temperature monitoring record

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0 of 17 checks

COLD STORAGE READINGS

1Fridge / cool room - morning reading against target
2Fridge / cool room - afternoon or end-of-day reading
3Freezer - morning reading against target
4Freezer - afternoon or end-of-day reading
5Row for each subsequent day - morning reading
6Row for each subsequent day - end-of-day reading
7Row for each subsequent day - morning reading
8Row for each subsequent day - end-of-day reading
9Row for each subsequent day - morning reading
10Row for each subsequent day - end-of-day reading

TRANSPORT READINGS

11Refrigerated vehicle - temperature at loading
12Refrigerated vehicle - temperature at delivery
13Receipt of goods - temperature on arrival check

BREACH AND CORRECTIVE ACTION

14Out-of-range event - unit, duration and temperature reached
15Corrective action taken and by whom
16Affected product and disposition (retained / discarded)
17Supervisor review and sign-off

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Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 5 July 2026
Also see:Compliance and inspections →Best inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack cold chain temperature log contains 17 checks across 3 sections. Sections covered: COLD STORAGE READINGS, TRANSPORT READINGS, BREACH AND CORRECTIVE ACTION.

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What is a cold chain temperature log?

A cold chain temperature log is a monitoring record that captures the temperature of refrigerated and frozen storage, and refrigerated transport, at set intervals against a defined target range. Each reading records the unit or location, the date and time, the measured temperature, whether it was within the target range, and the corrective action taken if it was not. Kept for fridges, freezers, cool rooms and delivery vehicles, it is the running evidence that goods stayed within their required temperature from receipt through storage to dispatch or use.

This log matters because temperature is the single most important control for both food safety and the integrity of temperature-sensitive products, but the two regimes are separate and must not be mixed. For food, the Food Standards Code Standard 3.2.2 requires refrigerated potentially hazardous food to be held at 5 degrees C or below (frozen food kept frozen hard), and the FSANZ 2-hour/4-hour rule governs time out of temperature control. For pharmaceuticals and vaccines, the cold chain is +2 to +8 degrees C under Therapeutic Goods Administration guidance and the PIC/S Guide to GMP, with the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines 'Strive for 5' aiming for +5 degrees C in a purpose-built vaccine fridge. There is no general 2 to 8 degrees C rule for food, and the food 5/60 danger zone does not apply to medicines. A consistent log ties every reading to the correct target for that product and a corrective action, so a breach is caught and dealt with rather than discovered too late.

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Benefits of using this cold chain temperature log

  • Early breach detection: regular readings catch a failing fridge or freezer before the stock inside is spoiled or made unsafe.
  • Product integrity evidence: a continuous temperature record proves goods were held in range from receipt through to dispatch or use.
  • Correct target ranges: recording the target for each unit stops chilled food and pharmaceuticals being held at the wrong temperature.
  • Corrective action trail: a place to record what was done when a reading was out of range shows breaches were managed, not ignored.
  • Equipment insight: repeated out-of-range readings on one unit expose a failing seal, thermostat or compressor before it fails completely.
  • Audit and recall support: a dated temperature log is the first evidence an auditor, inspector or recall investigation will ask to see.

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What to include in a cold chain temperature log

This cold chain temperature log covers 10 key areas:

  • Site or facility and the unit or vehicle being monitored
  • Unit type: fridge, freezer, cool room, or transport
  • Target temperature range for the goods held
  • Date and time of each reading
  • Measured temperature
  • Whether the reading is within range (yes or no)
  • Corrective action taken for any out-of-range reading
  • Product affected and disposition if a breach occurred
  • Person who took the reading
  • Thermometer or data-logger identifier and last calibration date

How to use this cold chain temperature log

  1. Set the target range for each unit: Define the correct target range for the goods each unit holds before you start logging: 5 degrees C or below for chilled food under FSANZ Standard 3.2.2, or +2 to +8 degrees C for temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines under TGA guidance. Keep the food and pharmaceutical ranges separate; logging against the wrong target is worse than not logging, because it gives false assurance.
  2. Take readings at set intervals: Read and record the temperature at the frequency set for the unit, commonly at the start and end of each day for storage and at loading and delivery for transport. Use a calibrated thermometer or data logger, and record the actual measured value, not a rounded or assumed one.
  3. Compare each reading to the target: Mark whether each reading is within the target range. An in-range reading confirms the unit is holding; an out-of-range reading is a trigger for immediate action, so the comparison must be made at the time of reading, not reconstructed later.
  4. Act on and record any breach: For any out-of-range reading, take corrective action straight away, such as moving stock, adjusting or repairing the unit, and assessing whether the goods are still safe or usable. Record the action and the disposition of any affected product so the breach is fully accounted for.
  5. Review and keep calibration current: Review the log regularly for patterns of drift or repeat breaches on a unit, and keep thermometers and data loggers calibrated so readings are trustworthy. File completed logs for the retention period your food safety program or quality system requires.

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How often should you complete this form?

Take readings at the frequency set for each unit and product. For chilled and frozen food storage this is commonly at least at the start and end of each day, and for refrigerated transport at loading and at delivery. Higher-risk goods or units with a history of drift may need more frequent checks or continuous data logging with alarms.

Review the completed log regularly, weekly for most operations, to spot units drifting towards their limits and to confirm corrective actions were closed out. Recalibrate thermometers and data loggers on a set schedule so the readings stay trustworthy, and keep completed logs for the retention period your food safety program, quality system or regulator requires.

Frequently asked questions

The correct range depends on the goods, and the food and pharmaceutical regimes are separate. Under the Food Standards Code Standard 3.2.2, potentially hazardous chilled food is kept at 5 degrees C or below and frozen food kept frozen hard, with the FSANZ 2-hour/4-hour rule limiting time out of temperature control. Temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines are stored at +2 to +8 degrees C under Therapeutic Goods Administration guidance and the PIC/S Guide to GMP, with the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines 'Strive for 5' aiming for +5 degrees C. Never apply the 2 to 8 degrees C range to food or the food 5/60 danger zone to medicines. Always use the target specified for the actual product, and confirm the applicable range with your food enforcement agency or the product manufacturer.

For storage units such as fridges, freezers and cool rooms, record temperatures at least at the start and end of each day, and more often for higher-risk goods. For refrigerated transport, record at loading and at delivery. Many operations use continuous data loggers with alarms in addition to manual checks, so a breach triggers an alert immediately rather than waiting for the next reading. Set the specific frequency in your food safety program or quality system based on the risk of the goods and the reliability of the unit.

Act immediately. Take corrective action to bring the unit back into range, such as closing a door, adjusting the thermostat, moving stock to another unit, or calling for repair. Then assess the goods: how far out of range, for how long, and whether they are still safe or usable. Record the reading, the corrective action and the disposition of any affected product. For food, follow your food safety program's rules on when out-of-range stock must be discarded; for pharmaceuticals, follow the manufacturer's stability guidance before returning stock to use.

Yes. A temperature log is only as trustworthy as the device taking the readings. Thermometers and data loggers should be calibrated or accuracy-checked on a set schedule, and the log should record which device was used and when it was last checked. An uncalibrated thermometer can read several degrees out, which either hides a real breach or triggers false ones. Keep calibration records alongside the temperature log so an auditor can see the readings were taken with a verified device.

Yes, it is completely free. Open it in your browser, then use Print and choose Save as PDF to keep a copy or print a pad for the cool room or vehicle. You do not need a MapTrack account. If you want to move beyond paper, MapTrack records temperature checks and inspections against each unit, captures readings and corrective actions on mobile, and keeps the full monitoring history in one place. Start a free trial or book a demo to see how.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

  • Food cold chain: Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 3.2.2 (temperature control - 5 degrees C or below) and the FSANZ 2-hour/4-hour rule
  • Pharmaceutical cold chain: Therapeutic Goods Administration guidance and the PIC/S Guide to GMP (PE009-17) - +2 to +8 degrees C for temperature-sensitive medicines
  • Vaccines: National Vaccine Storage Guidelines 'Strive for 5' (+2 to +8 degrees C, aiming for +5 degrees C)
  • Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations - plant maintenance duties for refrigeration equipment (in Victoria, the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic))

Cold Chain Temperature Log preview

Cold Chain Temperature Log template preview showing fields and layout

The numbers behind this cold chain temperature log

Every figure below is sourced and dated, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without having to chase the original report.

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Run an industry blog, trade association site, or training resource? Drop a preview of this free cold chain temperature log straight into your page. The snippet is self-contained, needs no scripts, and links readers back to the full free template.

<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
  <p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
  <p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Cold Chain Temperature Log</p>
  <ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Site or facility and the unit or vehicle being monitored</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Unit type: fridge, freezer, cool room, or transport</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Target temperature range for the goods held</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Date and time of each reading</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Measured temperature</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Whether the reading is within range (yes or no)</li>
  </ul>
  <p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cold-chain-temperature-log" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Cold Chain Temperature Log</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>

Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.

Cite this template

Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.

The MapTrack cold chain temperature log contains 17 checks across 3 sections.

Short attribution
MapTrack Cold Chain Temperature Log, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cold-chain-temperature-log
Reference list
MapTrack. (2026). Cold Chain Temperature Log [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cold-chain-temperature-log

Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cold-chain-temperature-log.

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