Last week Rupert Ashby attended a meeting of the Move to -15°C Coalition on behalf of BFFF members.

There were useful updates on various pilots taking place in the UK, some involving BFFF members including Vestey and Iceland. So far, those pilots are backing up the evidence we have seen so far that products can be stored at warmer temperatures with no perceivable effect on quality. Once the pilots are complete, we hope to be able to report the finding to the membership.

There were presentations on the ongoing research, policy engagement and international growth including a report from BFFF members Ndustrial. It was encouraging to see the momentum continuing to build as we work together to strengthen the evidence base for reviewing frozen food temperature set points.

Whilst the progress on this work is slower than many of us would want, the research and pilots are all generating the practical evidence needed to support future change across the frozen food supply chain.

Away from the work of the Coalition, the BFFF continues to work with the FSA policy team who are very supportive of a potential increase in storage temperatures, and now need a pool of evidence to back up a move to any changes.

With the ongoing challenges in the Gulf and its effect on energy costs, and potentially supply, The BFFF wrote to Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero outlining how engagement on this work could help reduce energy use across the industry, even if the industry moved by just 1°c.

The letter was sent before the Prime Minister resigned, but Westminster’s focus is currently inwards and not on the important issues that affect us all. However, now there are no challengers to Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership, it is likely that he will become the Prime Minister on or around 20^th July. The moment he has announced his cabinet, the BFFF will be renewing that discussion with whoever is appointed to the Department or Energy Security and Net Zero.

With government and agencies looking to reduce red tape, the BFFF has also been working to challenge the Quick-Frozen Foodstuffs Regulations 2007 which states that products falling under its remit must be at -18°c. All other frozen products are covered by guidance and good practice.  The regulation has not been looked at since being put in place and is bad law as it can simply be avoided using labelling. However, the legislation is tied in with current EU legislation, so any work to repeal this law is being affected by the governments EU reset.

If you want to know any more about this work, contact Rupert Ashby.

You can also find out more about the Move to -15°c Coalition and the pilots at The Move To Minus 15°C | Cold Chain Sustainability