Frozen Food & Category Moves
Choosing the Right Belt for Your Freezer
Choosing the right conveyor belt for freezers is critical to prevent mechanical failures, ensure product quality, and optimize freezing efficiency, according to a guide from Ashworth.
Freezer belt selection directly impacts equipment durability, product integrity, and freezing efficiency, which are essential for maintaining quality and reducing operational costs in frozen food processing.
The guide highlights material suitability, open space percentage, and customization as key factors in preventing product damage and optimizing freezing speed for sensitive frozen items.
Europe’s Dominance Shows Signs of Weakening
Europe's frozen fries export leadership is weakening as new processing hubs in Asia, the Middle East, and South America challenge its long-standing dominance, according to DCA Market Intelligence.
The shift in frozen fries production highlights growing competition for European processors and underscores the need for near-market manufacturing to maintain global market access.
European frozen food exporters must adapt to a changing landscape where local production in emerging markets increasingly meets regional demand, reducing reliance on European exports.
Uncrustables sales rise 12% as JM Smucker expands production
JM Smucker's Uncrustables brand saw a 12% sales increase in Q1, reaching $1 billion in net sales, with plans to expand production to meet growing demand.
The growth of Uncrustables highlights the expanding frozen snack category and the importance of production capacity in meeting consumer demand for convenience products.
The success of Uncrustables in the frozen and refrigerated snack space signals strong consumer demand for convenience products, which may influence production planning and cold-chain logistics strategies.
Kurly Brings Seoul Chef Jung Ho Young’s Udon Kaden to US Retail Market
Kurly, a premium Korean food company, is launching two frozen udon dishes from Seoul chef Jung Ho Young’s Udon Kaden in the US retail market, expanding its chef-driven frozen meal collection.
The launch of chef-crafted frozen udon meals highlights a growing trend in premium frozen food offerings, offering insights into how frozen formats can replicate restaurant-quality meals for US consumers.
This signals a project by Kurly to bring high-quality, chef-endorsed frozen meals to the US market, potentially influencing frozen food innovation and retail strategies in the premium frozen meal segment.
Freddy’s Adds Bacon-Focused Menu Items for Limited-Time Promotion
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has launched four bacon-focused menu items for a limited-time promotion, including frozen custard and steakburger offerings with bacon elements.
The inclusion of bacon in frozen custard and steakburger items highlights a trend in frozen food innovation, offering insights into consumer preferences for flavor combinations in frozen and foodservice products.
This promotion points to an effort to leverage bacon as a premium ingredient in frozen and foodservice items, potentially influencing menu development and frozen product formulation trends.
Kettle Cuisine Names Peter Hall Chief Executive Officer
Kettle Cuisine has appointed Peter Hall as chief executive officer, bringing in a seasoned food industry leader with experience at Kraft Heinz.
Hall’s background in large-scale food manufacturing and retail operations may influence Kettle Cuisine’s strategic direction and growth in the fresh prepared foods market.
The appointment signals potential shifts in scaling capabilities or exploring new market opportunities as Kettle seeks to strengthen its position.
Cold Chain, Refrigeration & Logistics
How Automation Is Helping Cold Chain Providers Improve Order-to-Cash Efficiency
Automation in cold chain logistics integrates financial workflows with operational events to improve order-to-cash efficiency for frozen food businesses.
Reducing manual errors and delays in billing is critical for cold chain providers managing complex charges like storage, transport, and handling fees for frozen products.
The integration of automation directly addresses financial inefficiencies in cold chain logistics, particularly for frozen food operations with complex billing structures.
Tender Rejections at 13.5%: Is Freight Bottoming?
FreightWaves reports tender rejections remain near 13.5%, suggesting the freight market may have found a short-term bottom ahead of Labor Day, with implications for capacity and rate trends.
The stabilization of tender rejections indicates tighter capacity in the freight market, which could affect cold-chain logistics costs and availability for frozen food operators during peak seasonal periods.
Stalled rejection declines suggest freight capacity is tightening, potentially influencing cold-chain pricing and capacity planning for frozen food transport.
Packaging, Materials & Sustainability
EU packaging rules impact 93% of UK manufacturers and suppliers, survey finds
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is impacting 93% of UK manufacturers and suppliers, prompting changes in packaging design and increased focus on supplier data and compliance.
The PPWR requires packaging compliance across the EU, which affects frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain operators exporting to Europe, as they must ensure packaging meets recyclability and sustainability standards.
Frozen food processors and cold-chain operators exporting to the EU are increasingly expected to prioritize packaging compliance under the PPWR, which may involve redesigning packaging and securing detailed supplier data for recyclability validation.
Kelpi’s seaweed-based coating achieves US FDA food contact approval
Kelpi’s seaweed-based coating has received US FDA food contact approval, allowing its use on paper and board food packaging in the United States for all food types under all conditions of use.
The FDA approval enables the use of Kelpi’s seaweed-based coating in food packaging, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics that could be relevant for frozen food packaging and cold-chain operations seeking eco-friendly materials.
This approval supports the growing trend of sustainable packaging solutions, which may influence frozen food processors and cold-chain operators looking to reduce plastic use while maintaining compliance and performance standards.
interpack China 2026 to Put Smart Manufacturing and Sustainable Packaging Centre Stage
Interpack China 2026 will focus on smart manufacturing and sustainable packaging, featuring topics like AI-assisted design, low-carbon materials, and compliance with EU regulations.
The event highlights sustainable packaging innovations and regulatory compliance trends that directly impact frozen food manufacturers and packaging suppliers.
The emphasis on sustainable materials and compliance with EU packaging regulations provides actionable insights for frozen food companies navigating global packaging standards.
Aptar unveils Activ-Film technology for dry powder inhaler packaging
Aptar has launched Activ-Film technology for dry powder inhaler packaging to control microclimates in blister cavities and improve drug stability without direct contact with the capsule.
The technology's ability to maintain product stability and reduce degradation could be relevant for frozen food packaging that requires controlled environments to preserve quality and safety.
The Activ-Film technology's approach to microclimate control may offer insights for frozen food packaging solutions that require similar environmental management.
Food Safety & Regulation
PPWR PFAS limits: How to keep ‘forever chemicals’ out of packaging
The PPWR regulation restricts PFAS levels in packaging across Europe, requiring manufacturers to ensure compliance to avoid enforcement actions and market restrictions.
Frozen food packaging suppliers must comply with PFAS limits under PPWR to prevent penalties and maintain access to European markets.
This regulation directly impacts frozen food packaging suppliers in Europe, necessitating material and process adjustments to meet new PFAS restrictions.
Nara Organics Infant Formula Botulism Outbreak Ends; WGS, Supply Chain Evidence Show Link to ByHeart
A botulism outbreak linked to Nara Organics infant formula has concluded, with WGS and supply chain data confirming a shared contamination source with the 2025 ByHeart outbreak.
The contamination originated from organic powdered whole milk supplied by the same vendor, highlighting risks in dairy ingredient sourcing for infant formula and potentially other dairy-based products.
Common suppliers between outbreaks emphasize the need for strict supplier verification and traceability in dairy processing, critical for frozen food and cold-chain operators using similar ingredients.
Q&A: EFSA Explains New EU WGS Data-Sharing Requirements for Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
The EU enacted Regulation (EU) 2025/179 on August 23, 2026, requiring WGS data sharing for five foodborne pathogens during outbreaks via the EFSA-ECDC One Health WGS System.
This regulation standardizes WGS data sharing across EU borders, directly impacting frozen food and cold-chain operators who must trace contamination sources and comply with updated food safety protocols.
The mandate increases traceability rigor, requiring frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain stakeholders to prepare for enhanced data-sharing obligations during outbreak investigations.
Allergens and GMO: What is Happening in Control Programs?
A survey finds 96% of food processors have allergen control programs, but analytical testing for allergens and GMOs is less common than expected, revealing gaps in food safety practices.
The high adoption of allergen programs with limited testing highlights compliance risks in frozen food manufacturing, where cross-contamination and labeling accuracy are critical to regulatory adherence and consumer trust.
Frozen food producers must prioritize analytical testing for allergens and GMOs to meet regulatory expectations and mitigate cross-contamination risks in complex processing environments.
Harvard Law Analysis Warns Food Safety Preemption Bill Could Impact More Than Additives, Create Oversight Gaps
A Harvard Law School report warns that the proposed FRESH Act could preempt state and local food safety laws without equivalent federal requirements, potentially creating oversight gaps in areas like food additives, labeling, and contaminants.
The FRESH Act's preemption clause could remove state-level oversight in critical food safety areas, including contaminants and labeling, which may impact frozen food manufacturers, cold-chain operators, and foodservice providers reliant on local regulations.
The FRESH Act's broad preemption language may weaken state-level food safety measures that frozen food companies and cold-chain operators currently depend on for compliance and risk management.
Hundreds sick and two dead in UK Salmonella outbreaks
Two deaths and nearly 500 illnesses in the UK from Salmonella Enteritidis outbreaks linked to imported eggs consumed at small cafés, restaurants, and takeaways since 2025.
The outbreaks emphasize the need for rigorous egg safety protocols and traceability in food service and retail, particularly for handling imported products across cold chain operations.
Imported egg sourcing and hygiene practices in food service highlight risks for frozen or refrigerated egg-based products, requiring stronger supplier verification and sanitation controls.
FDA wants more GRAS oversight – but can it handle the workload?
The FDA is proposing to make GRAS notifications mandatory for new food ingredients, which could significantly increase its workload and raise concerns about processing capacity.
Mandatory GRAS notifications may increase compliance burdens for frozen food manufacturers, requiring more rigorous documentation and regulatory engagement for ingredient safety.
This rule could slow down ingredient approval timelines, affecting frozen food companies reliant on GRAS determinations for product development and supply chain management.
Project to focus on AI and food safety behavior
A Welsh university has received funding to explore how AI can improve food safety behavior in workplaces and homes through behavioral science and AI-powered systems.
The integration of AI into food safety practices could influence hygiene compliance in frozen food manufacturing, cold-chain operations, and foodservice environments, potentially reducing foodborne illness risks.
This research may inform future AI tools for monitoring and improving hygiene in frozen food facilities and cold-chain logistics, aligning with industry needs for compliance and safety.
Manufacturing, Automation & Operations
California Natural Color Expands Production Capacity
California Natural Color is expanding its Fresno facility by 300% to boost production of natural colors and grape seed extract, driven by demand from food and beverage brands shifting away from synthetic dyes.
The expansion underscores rising demand for natural colorants in food manufacturing, which may influence frozen food producers seeking clean-label alternatives to synthetic dyes.
The shift toward natural colorants could pressure frozen food processors to adjust sourcing strategies and compliance protocols to meet evolving clean-label trends.