Morrisons has become the first UK supermarket to depart from the long-held industry standard on freezer temperatures as part of moves to cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.
In a 10-store trial, the retailer will increase the temperature of its freezers to -15°C from -18°C, the standard that has stood for almost 100 years. The test stores are spread across the country, from Scotland to the south of England, to see how the concept works in areas with different weather patterns and supply routes.
Recent academic studies have suggested that widespread global adoption of a change of 3°C across the supply chain would mean potential savings equivalent to 8.6% of the UK’s energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 3.8 million cars off the road.
A recent 18-month study by Nomad Foods, the parent company of leading frozen food brand Birds Eye’s, found that raising freezer temperatures doesn’t compromise food safety, texture, taste, or nutritional value.
The initiative is part of the ‘Move to Minus 15°C’ coalition, which already includes logistics firms DP World and Blue Water, and Danish Crown. By signing up, Morrisons has committed to encouraging other food producers, logistics operations, and retailers to join the coalition.
The supermarket stated that the cost savings from the initiative would help keep prices down for shoppers and support its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2035.
Ruth McDonald, Morrisons Group Corporate Services Director, said: “Industry standards today are based on safety, science or convenience. The standard temperature for the storage and transport of frozen food today looks like it is simply a convention from nearly 100 years ago.
“We now have vastly better freezers and modern technology and monitoring that gives us a precise picture of frozen food temperatures throughout the supply chain. We applaud the Move to -15°C movement for their original thinking and willingness to challenge a long-accepted standard and in doing so identify a significant opportunity for positive progress for both the environment and the food industry.
“So on behalf of our customers, our carbon commitments and the planet we are enthusiastically embracing the opportunity and putting together a concrete plan and timetable to increase the freezer temperatures across our stores and frozen supply chain by 3°C. As we execute our plan, we will be encouraging our suppliers and partners to do the same.”
Thomas Eskesen, Chairman of the Move to -15°C Coalition, added: “We are delighted to welcome Morrisons to our Coalition, and are excited that they are taking action. In order for us to be successful with making the change to -15°C, it is essential that we have representatives and support from every stage of the frozen food supply chain, so to have a large UK retailer like Morrisons on board is an important step forward for us.
“By raising the temperature of its freezers in 10 of its stores across the UK, Morrisons is demonstrating that change is possible, and we know that this seemingly small change can lead to a significant, positive, environmental impact.”
NAM Implications:
- Now just a matter of helping consumers modify their perceptions of what freezer temperature makes a difference for them…
