Nomad Foods, the company behind some of Europe’s best-known food brands including Birds Eye, Findus, iglo, Ledo and Frikom has today announced the twelve-month results of its landmark study that could change the temperature at which we store frozen food, leading to significant carbon emission reductions and cost savings.

The twelve month results, with leading food science and technology organisation Campden BRI, build on a successful six month pilot that Nomad Foods announced last summer and further validate 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.

The findings come as the frozen food industry celebrates 100 years since flash-freezing was first invented by Clarence Birdseye in 1924. Nomad Foods is now leading conversations with key industry players with the aim of forming an alliance to drive further progress. 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. Clarence Birdseye created a new industry and we are very proud to keep improving on his inspiring legacy.”

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) has also hailed the Nomad Foods study as a significant step forward for the frozen industry.
Rupert Ashby, Chief Executive Officer at British Frozen Food Federation, 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.”

Emma Hanby Associate Director at Campden BRI said: “Our study has comprehensively demonstrated that frozen food producers can safely increase their freezer temperatures to -15°C without compromising the quality and safety of their products. I commend Nomad Foods for leading this study and sharing the findings for the benefit of the whole frozen food sector.”

In addition to investigating temperature changes, Nomad Foods published an industry leading life cycle analysis of its leading frozen food products in 2022 which showed that frozen food performs very well against alternatives in terms of carbon footprint, partly due to much lower levels of food waste.3

Customs experts at Unsworth and Ashford Port Health are holding a free online webinar on Friday March 22^nd at 11am, dedicated to highlighting how imports from the EU into the UK will be affected by Phase 2 Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) legislation.

On April 30th, the second phase of the BTOM will come into effect, and will see the introduction of physical checks at designated Border Crossing Points for POAO and Plant product imports from the EU.

Ensuring compliance ahead of these changes is essential and information shared in the webinar will allow for proper preparation. The event features a Q+A session, where you can get answers to your most pressing questions on this important topic and ensure that your POAO shipments flow freely into the UK.

Click here to register.