UK study shows 1/3 are using frozen food more than ever for cost, convenience and sustainability

• New research reveals 1/3 of people in the UK are using frozen food more than ever, driven by sustainability, affordability and convenience, according to the Move to -15°C.

• The Coalition, now more than 50 industry-leading members strong and recognised with 20 international awards for its ambition, is based on a simple idea: that raising the temperature of freezers from -18°C to -15°C can deliver impactful environmental benefits, without compromising food safety.

• The insights are released as the Move to –15°C Coalition begins a new wave of testing through UK and international pilots.

London, 24 November 2025 – New consumer research released today by the Move to -15°C Coalition shows that Britain’s relationship with frozen food is fast changing as people prioritise cost, waste saving and sustainability. The study of more than 2,000 UK adults found that nearly one in three people (29%) are using more frozen food than they were three years ago, with 96% seeing it as good value, 94% as convenient and 91% as a way to reduce food waste.

The Move to –15°C, now an established global coalition of more than 50 members across the cold chain, is working together to reduce carbon emissions by raising the frozen food temperature standard across the supply chain from –18°C to –15°C; a small change that could save 17.7 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to removing 3.8 million cars from the road.

The Coalition’s work is grounded in a number of studies which suggest that increasing the frozen food temperature set point from -18°C to -15°C does not compromise food safety across a range of products, with microbial activity remaining inactive below -12°C, and has no significant impact on taste, texture, or nutrition.

Sandra Roling, Managing Director of the Move to -15°C Coalition, said:

“This research shows that consumers are aligned with the coalition’s purpose: they want smarter, more sustainable freezing that doesn’t compromise quality or safety. Every degree counts and with modern technology, data, and cross-sector collaboration, we can make a meaningful impact.”

The coalition’s members are now collaborating on pilot programmes across the UK and internationally, which will compare products stored and transported at -18°C and -15°C, collecting data and shared scientific evidence to inform future policy.

“A change in global temperature standards will only work if everyone moves together, from ports to plates. The UK pilot phase is about building proof, trust and momentum. It’s a small technical shift with a big environmental return”, Sandra Roling continued.

The findings come as the Coalition builds its pilot programmes to demonstrate the safety, energy and cost benefits of the move in practice. Results inform a wider campaign of engagement with policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders - including a Parliamentary Dinner this month.