Retailer Iceland has backed efforts to raise the current frozen food temperature standards in a bid to tackle carbon emissions.
The frozen food giant has joined the Move to –15°C coalition, a group of businesses and trade bodies from across the world advocating for a shift in temperature standards from –18°C to –15°C.
The three-degree raise would help slash carbon emissions associated with transporting and storing frozen goods, as well as reduce costs across the supply chain, experts say.
The movement is gathering great momentum within the food and logistics sectors, with Morrisons last month announcing plans to turn the freezers up in 10 stores by three degrees as part of its Move to –15°C trials.
Iceland has now become the second UK supermarket to join the coalition, with “trials expected to be announced soon”, The Grocer understands.
Upping temperature standards across Iceland’s estate and supply chains could have a major impact for the predominantly frozen food business.
“At Iceland, we are committed to net zero, and given the research presented by the Move to –15°C Coalition, reducing freezer temperatures is the obvious choice for all retailers and suppliers,” said Stuart Lendrum, director of product, process & sustainability at Iceland Foods.
“With our move to –15°C we’re helping to reduce emissions and energy consumption, whilst retaining our strict quality and safety standards.”
The Move to –15°C initiative launched at COP28 last year, led by global logistics firm DP World, after research showed that the change could save 17.7 million tonnes of CO2 a year, and cut costs in the supply chain by up to 12%.
Read more: The push for warmer frozen food – can it take off?
One year later, the coalition counts over 30 companies and trade bodies as members, including Birds Eye maker Nomad Foods, the British Frozen Food Federation, logistics giants Maersk and Lineage, and Compleat Food Group, among others.
Thomas Eskesen, chairman of the Move to –15°C Coalition, said: “Rapid and ambitious climate action across complex and interwoven frozen food supply chains – which include food production, ports, shipping, road, rail and air freight, cold storage and retail – can only happen through cross-sector collaboration.
“That is why we are so thrilled to welcome these new members to the Move to –15°C coalition. We encourage more organisations to join us and explore the positive impact that moving towards –15°C can have on creating a future-proofed food system and lower carbon world.”
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