The volume of food wasted by families across Britain could be slashed by almost 50%, equivalent to three million tons of household waste per year, through better meal planning and by eating more frozen food, according to research from a leading food industry academic.
On the back of findings released by WRAP (a government-funded organization which helps people reduce waste) in June, which found that UK households are throwing away a million tons of unopened food a year, an eye-opening paper published in the British Food Journal identifies frozen food as a significant solution to the UK’s six million ton household waste mountain.
The research, written by Dr. Wayne Martindale of Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University, shows that frozen food generates 47% less food waste compared to ambient and chilled food consumed in the home.
Dr. Wayne Martindale’s research found frozen food usage not only reduces waste and cuts greenhouse gas emissions, but also saves consumers money in the bargain.
The research also found that households including more frozen foods in their weekly meal planning could save around £250 per year.
Dr. Martindale’s research also discovered that greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 2.4 million tons per annum if households incorporated frozen foods into smarter meal planning.
The research fellow said: “These results tell us a great deal about people’s lifestyle choices and demonstrate clearly that families can save money and reduce waste by simply incorporating frozen food into their meal planning.
“People are simply less likely to waste frozen foods because it’s easier to control portion size and food obviously lasts longer in the freezer. With today’s world being busier and more demanding than ever, frozen foods offer an increasingly desirable, practical and nutritious food choice for busy families.”
The Sheffield Hallam University research used consumer research panels in its own purpose-built sensory testing labs to reveal that UK households trash almost twice as much fresh food as they do frozen, with the elderly and people under 25 among those producing the most waste.
The research project has engaged the frozen food manufacturing industry, working with some of Europe’s biggest food brands such as the Iglo Group, parent company of Birds Eye, to gain industry support for the findings.
The findings will be utilized by food manufacturers to develop products in a smarter way for meal planning so that the customer experience is improved and waste is reduced.
Peter Hajipieris, Iglo Group’s director of corporate social responsibility, commented: “We firmly believe our products can help consumers save money and cut waste by vastly increasing the shelf life of foods and giving consumers greater control over portion sizes.”
He continued: “As well as helping in the home, frozen also makes best use of food that is produced by farmers by preserving it as soon as it is harvested or caught, reducing waste in the food production chain.”
The sample of 83 households was selected from a larger sample of 250 households taking part in food sensory panels. The 83 were selected to provide a wide range of product choice and age categories. The research paper compares sample sets and shows that the sample compares well to other national surveys such as the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Further information can be found at www.shu.ac.uk/foodeng
