American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) leaders and a contingent of frozen food processors from the United States joined international counterparts to highlight the benefits of the category at the International Frozen Food Conference held on October 8 in conjunction with the Anuga exhibition in Cologne, Germany. The focus was on frozen food’s important role in supporting a healthy and sustainable future.
AFFI highlighted new research and initiatives from the United States that demonstrate the sustainability of frozen food and how the industry is positioned for future global success. The event was organized by the International Frozen Food Network (IFFN), of which AFFI is a member.
“Frozen food has seen incredible growth over recent years and, thanks to its unique attributes, is positioned to better serve communities and populations across global markets,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor. “The International Frozen Food Conference is an excellent venue to discuss how the sector will play an important role in the future and help the entire category promote the benefits of frozen products. As world leaders and governments work to support healthier diets and reduce food waste, frozen food is truly a game-changer.”
Suvan Sharma, chief executive officer of Jain Farm Fresh Foods and chair-elect of the AFFI board of directors, and John Sayers, director of sales and marketing at Superior Foods, also participated in the event. Ardooie, Belgium-headquartered AFFI member Ardo was represented by its director of sustainability, Emilie Haspeslagh.
Recent research reveals the many ways that freezing innovation helps to reduce food waste and make healthy eating more available to consumers. A 2023 literature review conducted by Cornell University analyzed the rate of food waste in grocery stores and households and found that, in general, frozen foods are wasted less frequently than their fresh counterparts. Additional research found that low-income shoppers indicated they cannot financially afford to waste food and that frozen food ingredients help them save money because they are able to use the food over time.
The IFFN is a global federation of trade associations created to exchange information and promote collaboration on issues impacting the frozen food industry. Its member organizations are: ADEPALE (France), Alcass (Italy), the American Frozen Food Institute (USA), the British Frozen Food Federation (United Kingdom), the Deutsches Tiefkühlinstitut (Germany), Fachverband der Lebensmittelindustrie (Austria), and Vries Vers Platform (the Netherlands).
