20th November 2008

Frozen food industry to reduce carbon footprint

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) and the Carbon Trust have reported the launch of their first joint project for the frozen food industry. The project ‘Reducing the Carbon Footprint of the frozen food industry’, examines the opportunity for potential temperature efficiency improvements within the frozen food industry based on the current legislative parameters.

BFFF believes that many frozen food companies may have built in safety margins within their supply chain temperature controls often well over the requirements for excellent customer service. BFFF’s initial trials indicate that there might be an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in the industry; just by companies ensuring their storage facilities and processes are operating to appropriate temperature tolerances.

The project will deliver a range of benchmarking reports and offer best practice guidance for frozen food businesses with potential areas to improve temperature efficiency within the supply chain being identified. BFFF will host an industry seminar in February 2009 to deliver the results.

Currently European Legislation requires companies to label frozen foods as quick frozen if they are maintained at a temperature of -18°C or below. BFFF does not believe that there is a strong scientific reason for this temperature to be used. There could be major carbon saving opportunities in moving the industry by even only 1°C.

Hugh Jones, solutions director of the Carbon Trust commented, “This project should challenge the industry to look at the current built-in safety margins for storage temperatures within the frozen food supply chain. By working with a number of key organisations from the BFFF membership, we can involve industry players on an inclusive basis across the sector to deliver informed results to drive carbon emission reduction.”

The project will involve eight BFFF member companies including Bernard Matthews Foods Ltd, Headland Foods Ltd, Lyons Seafoods Ltd, R&R Ice Cream Ltd, Lockwoods Ltd and Schwan’s Consumer Brands UK Ltd.