Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
In addition to saving time and money, frozen foods can contribute to a more sustainable food system.
Sustainability is playing a bigger role in how people shop, but does it affect what they buy in the frozen food sections of supermarkets?
A new survey by Europe's largest frozen food company suggests the answer is yes. Nearly half of European consumers (47 percent) choose frozen food products to reduce food waste, according to Nomad Foods, owner of Birds Eye, Finds, and other household brands.
Around 59 million tons of food waste are produced annually in the European Union, according to the European Consumer Organization. So, as one UK supermarket giant put it, every little step helps.
But what difference exactly does buying frozen food make, and which countries are embracing it?
How does frozen food help reduce waste? According to a report published Sunday by the European news network in Brussels, Euronews, which added, "It's clear that freezing food keeps it for longer, meaning less food needs to be thrown away and less to buy.
When food waste finds its way to landfill, it's not just the food itself that's lost. There's also the waste of resources used in production and transportation, including fuel, water, land, labor, fertilizers, and packaging.
When food decomposes in landfills, it produces methane—a powerful greenhouse gas.
"In 2021 and 2022, food waste caused around 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK," says Ben Ashmore, head of external affairs at FareShare, a charity working with the food sector to help identify and redistribute surplus food.
"By redistributing surplus food to people, and making it last longer through freezing, we can help reduce food waste and associated emissions, while helping Those in need."
There are several reasons why people are relying more on freezers, but Nomad Foods' "Freezers in Focus" report suggests that sustainability was a prominent factor.
"The frozen food section of the freezer is no longer just a place to store food; it's the cornerstone of a more efficient, sustainable, and nutritious lifestyle," says Stefan Deschemaeker, CEO of the UK-based company.
The UK is at the forefront of efforts to combat food waste, according to a new cross-market study of 7,500 adults. The results showed that nearly 60 percent of Britons prefer to buy frozen food because it reduces food waste.
They are followed by 50 percent in Italy, 49 percent in France, 43 percent in Sweden, and 44 percent in Germany.
A smaller, but still significant, proportion of consumers recognize the potential of frozen food to contribute to more sustainable food chains. This is shared by 15 percent of citizens in Sweden, 7 percent in Italy, and 9 percent in In the UK, 8 percent in Germany, and 7 percent in France.
"European consumers are increasingly aware of the link between food waste and sustainability," says David Pettit, head of sustainability at Nomad Foods. "Freezing food isn't just about convenience; It is a powerful tool for keeping food fresh, maximizing resources, and building a more sustainable food system.
Reducing energy consumption in freezers
Research is also underway to make the frozen food section of the refrigerator a more environmentally friendly space, given the high energy use and emissions associated with always-on appliances.
A coalition calling itself "Moving to -15°C," launched in 2023 at COP28, aims to make a difference in food supply chains by "resetting the temperature standards for frozen food."
The coalition includes big names, such as shipping giant Maersk, supermarkets Iceland, and Morrisons, and challenges the conventional wisdom that the correct freezer temperature is -18°C.
Studies have shown that -15°C is effective and can deliver significant energy savings.
A recent study by Campden BRI, a food and beverage research center, and Nomad Foods found that a 3°C increase in frozen food storage temperatures could reduce energy consumption in the freezer by 10 percent, without making a significant change in most products.