London, UK: A frozen foods transformation is quietly taking shape, says Morten Johansen, chief operating officer, DP World Americas.
“For nearly a century, the cold chain industry, responsible for transporting perishable goods around the globe, has rigorously adhered to a freezing standard of minus 18 C, or just below 0 F. This practice, employed across both stationary and mobile refrigeration equipment, was deemed crucial for extending food shelf life, preserving nutritional quality and minimising waste, he said.
“But today, the world is grappling with a food security crisis. Many companies, including mine, are looking to reimagine the cold chain—the process of transporting and storing perishable goods—to bolster food security and mitigate the impacts of climate change. For example, we recently launched a campaign to raise the temperature to minus 15 C.”
“Since frozen foods gained popularity starting in the 1930s, static international temperature standards for frozen food practices have generated lasting effects, not all positive. Transporting frozen foods globally contributes to as much as 5% of global energy needs and 2.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
“Then there is the issue of waste: Millions of tons of food are lost annually due to inadequate refrigeration. Discarding 1.3 billion tons of edible nourishment significantly contributes to greenhouse gases and deepens the problems associated with food insecurity.”
