New data published in the UK – including figures highlighted by organisations such as FareShare and the Cold Chain Federation – reveals that an estimated 4.6 million tonnes of edible food is wasted each year in the UK supply chain, equivalent to more than 10 billion meals that could have been consumed.
This alarming level of waste occurs across farming, manufacturing, hospitality and retail sectors and contributes significantly to environmental and economic challenges.
In response, JS Davidson, an award-winning temperature-controlled solutions specialist, has reiterated its commitment to reducing food waste through advanced cold chain solutions such as blast freezing and tempering — technologies proven to extend the life of perishable foods while preserving quality, flavour and safety.
Blast freezing works by rapidly lowering product temperature using high-velocity cold air, swiftly passing through the critical freezing point to minimise ice crystal formation and slow enzymatic breakdown. This process has been shown to significantly extend shelf life compared to conventional freezing, preserving texture and nutritional value while reducing spoilage.
Commenting on the issue, JS Davidson Managing Director John Davidson said: “With millions of tonnes of perfectly edible food lost each year, innovative preservation methods are essential. Rapid blast freezing and efficient tempering not only slow the degradation process, but also help manufacturers, retailers and distributors retain product value, reduce waste and lower their environmental footprint.”
JS Davidson’s investment in a hybrid blast freezing and tempering unit forms part of its broader strategy to support customers in tackling food waste. The unit can process up to 30 UK pallets in a controlled environment, offering enhanced freezing, chilling and tempering capabilities that support extended storage life and improved supply chain resilience.
In addition to extending shelf life, these technologies help address sustainability goals by reducing the frequency with which products are discarded, ultimately cutting down on associated greenhouse gas emissions linked to food production and decomposition.
And by offering up to 53 per cent reduction in GWP compared to other refrigerants, it also provides a low emission, and low-operational cost option for both rapidly freezing and tempering products.
JS Davidson is recognised as a one-stop shop provider of distribution, ambient, chilled and frozen storage, co-packing and flexible supply chain solutions to meet the demands of the every changing landscape within the sector.
It has also recently added freight services to its portfolio to include shipping, storage through to final delivery with a view to providing to providing the ultimate level of service to its customers.
As the UK works to confront food waste on multiple fronts, JS Davidson is backing practical, technology-driven solutions that support a more efficient and responsible food supply chain — while helping customers meet evolving market and environmental expectations.
