Frozen foods can be stored safely when prepared and frozen properly, as freezing helps preserve foods while slowing chemical changes that lead to spoilage.
Frozen meals may contain added salt and sugars; for optimum nutrition, look for those that provide high-quality proteins, whole grains and minimal sauces. Registered dietitians advise storing at least a few frozen entrees in your freezer as convenience options.
1. Convenience
Frozen Food NZ offers home chefs a time-saving and straightforward option to enhance their cooking. Many frozen convenience items can be quickly heated in either the microwave or traditional oven and require minimal chopping or prep work before rewarming for quick meals on the go.
TV dinners were first introduced in 1953 to provide consumers with convenient food selections (meat, vegetables and potatoes) ready to eat within an established time. They quickly proved successful and have since become part of daily life.
Packaged Facts’ latest report indicates that convenience and quality are two key aspects for consumers shopping in the frozen food department. 68% of respondents agreed frozen foods are an appropriate choice for novice chefs, while 64% felt frozen products are more convenient than their fresh counterparts. Furthermore, frozen products tend to have higher in-stock rates than their fresh alternatives and can meet dietary restrictions that affect 45% of shoppers.
Frozen foods have seen increased consumption due to increasing consumer desire for healthy alternatives and time-saving measures. According to market research firm NPD Group’s The Future of Dinner study, frozen food was included in 9.8 billion eating occasions at home last year – an increase of 2.2% over ten years ago. These meals mostly consist of frozen dinner entrees; however, waffles and breakfast sandwiches have become popular choices at home.
2. Health
Frozen foods tend to have longer shelf lives than their fresh counterparts, enabling supermarkets to keep frozen items stocked and for sale for longer. It gives consumers more access to this type of food and may increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
3. Taste
Frozen foods come prepared, making meal prep much quicker and simpler, giving you more time for other pursuits. Furthermore, most frozen food comes with clear instructions that can reduce undercooking or overcooking risks.
Frozen foods often feature premium ingredients and preparation techniques that make them healthier than their fresh equivalents, often at a much lower cost. Frozen items also tend to last longer on shelves and simplify meal planning.
Most fish companies that produce frozen food NZ take great care to use environmentally-friendly practices when fishing for frozen products, helping protect our marine stocks while simultaneously making tasty meals without additional preservatives being necessary due to freezing’s natural preservation qualities.
4. Value
Frozen foods have become increasingly popular due to their long shelf life and ease of storage and cooking/eating. Furthermore, frozen food items tend to be cheaper than fresh alternatives, offering consumers gourmet foods at an affordable price point. Due to consumers’ growing disposable incomes and increasing spending capacity on frozen goods, worldwide markets are expected to expand.
Frozen foods saw an upswing in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic due to panic buying. Consumers used this behavioural shift triggered by the pandemic as an excuse to look through freezers for items they might normally avoid purchasing, opening their eyes to all of the frozen options available in supermarkets ranging from raw ingredients, prepared solutions and tasty desserts.
Though prices in the frozen aisle have increased significantly, consumers continue to view frozen foods as providing great value; 67% believe frozen sometimes outshines non-frozen offerings, according to Acosta research. It may be partly because many frozen vegetables, fruit, and ready-made meals don’t need added preservatives as their freezing process acts as their natural preserver.
Cargill and Nestle, two leading frozen food manufacturers that own popular brands like Bird’s Eye, Marie Callender’s, Banquet and Healthy Choice, among many others, have seen explosive growth through innovative investments. From frozen food NZ packaging improvements and preservation techniques to brand-building strategies, both companies invest heavily in staying ahead of competitors through investments like packaging innovations and brand development. Both also prioritize environmental responsibility by minimizing their carbon footprints while responsibly sourcing ingredients.