Food & Climate
A new survey from Europe’s largest frozen food company suggests yes. Nearly half of European consumers (47%) are opting for frozen food products to reduce food wastage, according to Nomad Foods, owner of Birds Eye, Findus and other household brands.
Almost 59 million tonnes of food waste are generated annually in the EU, according to the European Consumer Organisation. So, in the words of one UK supermarket giant, every little helps.
But what difference does buying frozen make exactly, and which countries are embracing it?
It’s obvious, really – that freezing food preserves it for longer, meaning less needs to be thrown away and bought.
When food goes to waste, it is not only the food itself that is lost, but also the resources used in production and transportation, including fuel, water, land, labor, fertilisers, and packaging, according to a report seen by “Food & Climate” platform.
And as food breaks down in landfills, it produces methane – a potent greenhouse gas.
60% of Brits prefer to buy frozen food
“In 2021 and 2022 combined, food waste accounted for around 18m tonnes of GHG emissions in the UK,” says Ben Ashmore, head of external affairs at FareShare, a charity which works across the food industry to help identify and redistribute surplus food.
“By redistributing surplus food to people, and making it longer-lasting through freezing, we can help reduce food waste and the associated emissions, while helping people in need.”
There are many reasons why people are leaning more heavily on the freezers, but Nomad Foods’ inaugural ‘Frozen in Focus’ report indicates that sustainability is a prominent factor.
“The freezer is no longer just a place to store food; it’s becoming the cornerstone of a more efficient, sustainable, and nutritious lifestyle,” claims Stéfan Descheemaeker, CEO at the UK-headquartered company.
The UK leads the way on the food waste front, according to the new multi-market study of 7,500 adults. Nearly 60% of Brits prefer to buy frozen food as it reduces food waste.
That figure is followed by 50% in Italy, 49% in France, 43% in Sweden, and 44% in Germany.
A smaller, but still significant portion of consumers recognise the potential of frozen food to contribute to more sustainable food chains. 15% in Sweden, 7% in Italy, 9% in the UK, 8% in Germany, and 7% in France agreed with this statement.
“European consumers are increasingly aware of the link between food waste and sustainability,” says David Pettet, head of sustainability at Nomad Foods. “Freezing food isn’t just about convenience; it’s a powerful tool for preserving freshness, maximizing resources, and building a more sustainable food system.”
Research is also going into making the freezer itself an eco-friendlier space, given the significant energy usage and associated emissions of the always-on appliances.
Launched in 2023 at COP28, the Move to -15°C Coalition aims to make a difference in food supply chains by “resetting frozen food temperature standards”.
Featuring big names, like shipping giant Maersk and supermarkets Iceland and Morrisons, the coalition challenges the received wisdom that -18°C is the correct freezer temperature.
Studies have shown that -15°C works too, and can deliver significant energy savings.
The correct freezer temperature
One recent study from Campden BRI, a food and drink research centre, and Nomad Foods found that a 3°C increase in frozen food storage temperatures could reduce freezer energy consumption by 10 per cent, with no significant change in most products.
EU countries have significantly increased their recycling rates, but the speed of this progress is slowing down, experts warn.
The average EU citizen generated 4.8 tonnes of waste in 2020 – but only 38% of it was recycled. In some member states, more than 60 per cent of household waste still goes to landfill.
Recycling our rubbish is a crucial way to reduce the consumption of primary resources by replacing them with secondary materials which have already been used at least once.
In 2020, the total waste generated in the EU by all economic activities and households amounted to 2,154 million metric tonnes. That is 4,815 kg per person.
Households generated only 9.4% of this trash total. Construction (37.5%) and mining and quarrying (23.4%) are largely responsible for the waste produced, generating over 60% of total waste in the EU.
Waste and water services made up 10.8%, and manufacturing accounted for 10.6%, according to “Eunews”.
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