Supermarket Morrisons is leading a charge to overhaul the frozen food industry by trialling warmer freezer temperatures.
The retail giant is testing a 3°C increase in freezer temperatures across ten UK stores in a bid to slash energy consumption and costs, the Guardian reported.
This move marks a significant departure from the longstanding industry standard of -18°C, a temperature set almost a century ago.
With energy prices soaring and sustainability concerns mounting, pressure is growing on retailers to find innovative ways to reduce their environmental impact and operating costs.
A recent study by Nomad Foods, owner of Birds Eye, found that raising freezer temperatures to -15°C could cut energy consumption by up to 11% without compromising food quality.
This finding has galvanised support from industry players, including logistics companies and food producers, who have formed the Move to Minus 15°C Coalition.
Morrisons’ participation in this initiative is a major step forward.
The retailer, which has been grappling with competitive pressures in recent years, sees the potential cost savings as a crucial tool for maintaining price competitiveness and accelerating its net-zero ambitions.
While the trial is in its early stages, the potential benefits for the wider retail sector are substantial.
If successful, it could pave the way for a wholesale shift in industry practices, delivering significant energy savings and reducing carbon emissions.
“The standard temperature for the storage and transport of frozen food today looks like it is simply a convention from nearly 100 years ago,” said Ruth McDonald, corporate services director at Morrisons.
“We now have vastly better freezers and modern technology and monitoring that gives us a precise picture of frozen food temperatures throughout the supply chain.”
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite and environmental regulations tighten, initiatives such as this are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the retail industry.
