Frozen Food & Category Moves
STORELOGS ANNOUNCES £13 MILLION EXPANSION AT SOUTH KIRKBY SITE
STORELOGS has announced a £13 million expansion at its South Kirkby site, focusing on frozen food manufacturing and logistics infrastructure upgrades.
The investment in manufacturing and logistics capacity may affect UK frozen food supply chain efficiency and regional distribution capabilities for processors and cold-chain partners.
STORELOGS' capital expenditure signals confidence in frozen food demand growth, potentially increasing competition for logistics resources and production capacity in the North East region.
NEW PRODUCT: SHANA PARATHA TOASTIES GO FROM FREEZER TO TOASTER IN JUST THREE MINUTES.
Shana Paratha Toasties are a new frozen food product that can be prepared in three minutes by moving directly from the freezer to the toaster.
This product highlights a growing trend in frozen food convenience, offering a quick and easy meal solution that aligns with consumer demand for time-saving options.
The product exemplifies the innovation in frozen food formats that cater to modern lifestyles, emphasizing ease of preparation and shelf-ready convenience for retailers and consumers.
Uncrustables Sandwiches are Now Fridge-Friendly for More Convenience
Uncrustables, a brand of crustless sandwiches by J.M. Smucker, is now fridge-friendly, allowing consumers to store them in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for longer-term use.
This update provides frozen food operators with a new storage option for a popular frozen product, potentially influencing retail placement and consumer convenience expectations in the frozen aisle.
The fridge-friendly option may shift consumer behavior from freezer to refrigerator storage, impacting cold-chain logistics and retail strategies for frozen food products.
Cold Chain, Refrigeration & Logistics
July 4th Heat: What It Means for Reefer Capacity and Spot Rates
Extreme heat in the Eastern US is driving reefer spot rates and tender rejections to near all-time highs as companies shift to refrigerated transport to protect temperature-sensitive goods.
The surge in refrigerated capacity demand during extreme heat impacts frozen food logistics, pricing, and supply chain planning for cold-chain operators and retailers.
This heatwave underscores the vulnerability of temperature-sensitive goods and highlights potential cost increases and capacity constraints in the refrigerated freight market.
Packaging, Materials & Sustainability
Polytag and MCC partner to grow packaging traceability capabilities
Polytag and MCC partner to integrate UV tag technology into in-mould labelled packaging, enhancing traceability and recycling data for brands, including applications in frozen food environments.
This partnership introduces advanced traceability and recycling data capabilities for packaging used in frozen food and other demanding retail environments, supporting sustainability goals and regulatory compliance.
The integration of UV tag technology into in-mould labelled packaging offers frozen food operators a scalable solution for improving material recovery and traceability, which is critical for compliance and circular economy initiatives.
Can flexible packaging be sorted, recycled and achieve EU targets in Romania? National six-month trial offers a different question
A six-month trial in Romania tested flexible packaging sorting and recycling, revealing challenges in manual sorting and infrastructure needs to meet EU 2030 and 2035 targets.
The trial highlights operational challenges of sorting flexible packaging at scale, critical for frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain operators relying on sustainable packaging solutions.
The findings point to the need for improved sorting infrastructure and automation to support sustainable packaging in frozen food and broader food industries, aligning with EU regulatory goals.
June in review: Top Packaging Trends 2026, FIFA’s foodservice policies face scrutiny
Packaging Insights highlighted trends in circularity, regulation, and consumer expectations shaping F&B packaging, with FIFA’s 2026 World Cup policies sparking debate over single-use and reusable foodservice systems.
The evolving regulatory landscape and consumer demand for sustainable packaging directly impact frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain operators seeking compliant and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
The push for reusable systems and EPR frameworks in packaging signals a growing need for frozen food companies to align with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements in their packaging strategies.
Aluminum can makers rethink design as circularity meets consumer convenience
Aluminum can manufacturers are redesigning cans with resealable features, lightweight materials, and water-based sealants to meet sustainability goals, cost efficiency, and consumer convenience demands.
The shift toward sustainable aluminum can design offers frozen food processors new packaging options that enhance recyclability, reduce material costs, and align with evolving regulatory and consumer expectations.
This trend highlights a potential opportunity for frozen food manufacturers to adopt more sustainable and efficient packaging solutions that balance compliance, cost control, and shelf-life performance.
Emirates Global Aluminium opens recycling plant after US-Iran war disruption
Emirates Global Aluminium opened a recycling plant in the UAE, aiming to process 185,000 metric tons of aluminum scrap annually into billets and T-bars, resuming operations after a March disruption.
The plant supports domestic aluminum recycling, potentially reducing reliance on imports and offering sustainable materials for packaging used in frozen food and cold-chain logistics.
The operational link is through sustainable packaging materials, which could influence frozen food processors seeking eco-friendly alternatives for their packaging needs.
Food Safety & Regulation
Stricter EU Regulations on Listeria in RTE Foods Now in Effect; Ireland Offers Compliance Guidance
Stricter EU regulations on Listeria in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods took effect July 1, 2026, expanding compliance responsibility across the supply chain with Ireland providing guidance for food businesses.
The updated EU Listeria rules require all RTE food supply chain operators including frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain handlers to revise safety protocols and testing procedures to meet new microbiological criteria.
Expanded Listeria compliance now applies to all RTE supply chain stages necessitating HACCP system updates and enhanced environmental monitoring for frozen processors and cold-chain operators.
New listeria label proposed for ready to eat foods such as smoked salmon
Researchers propose a voluntary 'STABILISED' label for ready-to-eat foods like smoked salmon to indicate listeria prevention, aligning with new EU regulations requiring stricter listeria controls.
The proposed label could influence food safety protocols for frozen and refrigerated ready-to-eat products, requiring manufacturers to validate shelf life and preservation methods to prevent listeria growth.
The initiative highlights the growing emphasis on product formulation and shelf-life validation for ready-to-eat foods, which may extend to frozen and refrigerated formats in the food industry.
Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Stanley infections linked to flavoured noodle products
A multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Stanley infections has been linked to flavoured noodle products from a single brand, with cases reported across 13 EU/EEA countries and the UK.
The outbreak highlights the importance of food safety in industrial processing, particularly for products with long shelf lives that may remain in consumer storage for extended periods.
The incident underscores the need for rigorous contamination control in food manufacturing, especially for products that may be stored for long periods, which is relevant to frozen and refrigerated food operations.
FoodChain ID Expands AI Strategy with Connected Decision-Making Platform
FoodChain ID has expanded its AI strategy with a connected decision-making platform targeting product development, regulatory compliance, traceability, and commercialization for food and beverage companies.
The AI platform enhances traceability and regulatory compliance, which are critical for frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain operators navigating complex food safety and quality standards.
AI integration for traceable recommendations and regulatory compliance could streamline operations for frozen food producers and cold-chain logistics providers by reducing manual oversight and improving decision accuracy.
USDA Researcher Identifies Key Cold Storage Temperature for Maintaining Microbial Safety of Work-in-Process Fresh-Cut Produce
USDA research identifies 4 °C as the optimal cold storage temperature for minimizing microbial growth in work-in-process fresh-cut produce, with some produce naturally inhibiting Listeria.
The findings highlight the critical role of precise cold storage temperatures in preventing pathogen growth, which is directly applicable to cold-chain and food safety protocols in frozen food processing and retail.
This research reinforces the importance of temperature control in cold storage for all perishable food products, including those in the frozen food supply chain, and may influence sanitation and safety protocols in processing and retail environments.
California Law Standardizing ‘Best By’ Dates Now in Effect: What Packaged Food Manufacturers Need to Know
California's AB 660 law, effective July 1, 2026, standardizes food date labeling by banning 'Sell By' dates and requiring 'Best If Used By' or 'Use By' terminology on packaged food labels.
The law directly affects frozen food manufacturers and retailers by introducing new labeling standards that distinguish between safety and quality dates, with specific language for frozen products.
This regulation requires frozen food producers to adopt new labeling practices that clarify product quality timelines, impacting packaging design and compliance protocols.
Potato, Bakery, Seafood & Ingredients
Mccain owned strong roots appoints new managing director
Frozen veg brand Strong Roots, owned by McCain, has appointed Emma Curtis as its new managing director, promoting her from VP of global strategy, business development and CSR.
The leadership change at Strong Roots, a McCain-owned frozen vegetable brand, signals strategic direction and growth ambitions that could influence frozen food brand positioning and market expansion.
Emma Curtis's promotion to managing director at Strong Roots reflects a focus on innovation and long-term brand strategy, which may shape frozen vegetable product development and market positioning in the coming years.
Manufacturing, Automation & Operations
How Automation Supports Variability and Flexibility in Food Manufacturing
Automation in food manufacturing is evolving to handle variability and flexibility, addressing challenges like labor shortages, hygiene demands, and complex production requirements across different product formats and batch sizes.
Automation strategies that manage variability are critical for frozen food manufacturers dealing with diverse product formats, fluctuating production schedules, and the need for consistent quality across batches and packaging types.
The shift toward automation that supports variability is directly relevant to frozen food producers who must adapt to changing product formats, batch sizes, and production conditions while maintaining efficiency and quality.
Heat and Control to showcase Urschel slicing and dicing equipment at foodpro 2026
Heat and Control will display Urschel's new slicing and dicing equipment, including the Little Gem Aspire Dicer and MicroAdjustable SL-14 Slicing Head, at foodpro 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
The equipment enhances cutting precision and production efficiency, critical for frozen food processors aiming to optimize line performance and reduce operational costs.
The slicing and dicing technologies may improve processing efficiency and flexibility for frozen food manufacturers handling smaller runs or space-constrained facilities.
PolyCo Sleeve Gloves Offer Total Arm Protection for Food Processing Workers
PolyCo introduces VR Sleeve Gloves for food processing workers, combining nitrile gloves with protective sleeves for enhanced safety during cleaning and sanitation tasks.
The gloves provide enhanced protection against harsh chemicals used in food production, which is critical for maintaining worker safety and compliance in processing environments.
This product addresses a key need in food manufacturing by offering a more effective solution for chemical exposure during sanitation, which is especially relevant in frozen food facilities using strong disinfectants.
Forsfood Enters New Growth Phase Following Acquisition by Orat Oy and Banmark Group
Forsfood has entered a new growth phase following its acquisition by Orat Oy and Banmark Group, combining over 80 years of combined expertise in food processing machinery and technical support.
The acquisition consolidates Finnish expertise in food processing machinery, which may influence innovation and technical capabilities in frozen food manufacturing and processing solutions.
This merger enhances Forsfood's position in food processing machinery, potentially improving capabilities for frozen food production lines and cold-chain equipment integration.
Market Data & Strategic Signals
Nestlé to axe artificial colours worldwide in industry first
Nestlé will eliminate artificial food colours from all products globally by 2026, following successful US implementation and driven by consumer demand for simpler ingredients.
This shift may influence frozen food and broader food manufacturers to reformulate products, impacting ingredient sourcing and shelf-life management strategies.
The move increases pressure on frozen food producers to adopt natural colour alternatives, balancing consumer preferences with technical challenges in product stability.