Nomad Foods, the owner of brands including Birds Eye, Findus, Goodfella’s, and Aunt Bessie’s, has announced the result of a twelve-month study that could change the temperature at which frozen food is stored, potentially leading to significant carbon emission reductions and cost savings.
The study by food science and technology organisation Campden BRI built on a six month pilot that Nomad Foods announced last summer and further validates the notion that storing frozen food at -15oC, instead of the industry standard -18oC (zero degrees Fahrenheit), can reduce freezer energy consumption by 10-11% without any noticeable impact on product safety, texture, taste or nutritional value.
Nine savoury frozen products were included in the study; poultry, coated fish, natural fish, vegetables, plant-based foods and pizza. Four temperatures (ranging from -18oC up to -9oC) and eight key areas, including food safety, texture, nutrition, energy use and packaging impact were tested. Results showed no significant change to the products at -15oC, albeit for -12oC and -9oC there was a drop in Vitamin C for vegetable products and some changes in sensory performance.
Nomad Foods is now leading conversations with key industry players with the aim of forming an alliance to drive further progress on reducing the environmental impact of freezing food. The business is also looking at its own manufacturing sites to see where it could introduce -15oC.
Stéfan Descheemaeker, Nomad Foods’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “For 100 years frozen food has played a critical role in bringing great tasting, nutritious, convenient and affordable food to consumers, while minimising waste. Over the next 100 years, as pressure intensifies to address the global food systems’ contribution to climate change, I am confident that frozen food can be a key part of the solution.
“Frozen food already compares very well against alternatives in terms of carbon footprint. Our study shows there is potential to further reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions when storing or transporting frozen food, with just a simple temperature change. We are working to establish an industry alliance to put these findings into action and, hopefully in time, deliver widespread change.”
The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) hailed the Nomad Foods study as a significant step forward for the frozen industry.
Rupert Ashby, Chief Executive Officer at BFFF, said: “As we celebrate the 100th year of frozen food, we must recognise our moral obligation to improve sustainable operations and challenge ourselves to see what is possible. We know that warming up the storage temperature of frozen food by just a few degrees could significantly impact carbon emissions, reduce energy consumption, and improve our bottom lines. Such a small change could be an exciting step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry.
Frozen food reduces waste, preserves nutrition, and needs no additives. It’s already a great option for foodservice and retail sectors, as well as for consumers at home. We need the industry to join forces and see what can be achieved to secure the next 100 years of success for frozen food.”
