Frozen Food & Category Moves
Frozen Pizza Industry Enters New Growth Phase
The global frozen pizza market is entering a new growth phase driven by consumer demand for premium, nutritious, and restaurant-quality frozen meals, with revenue projected to exceed USD30.8bn by 2029.
The frozen pizza industry's evolution reflects shifting consumer preferences toward health, sustainability, and convenience, offering significant opportunities for innovation and market expansion in frozen food.
This signals a major shift in frozen food consumption patterns, with manufacturers adapting to demand for premium ingredients, plant-based options, and high-protein toppings to meet evolving consumer expectations.
J.M. Smucker Expands Uncrustables Convenience Push With Fridge-Friendly Rollout
J.M. Smucker has introduced refrigerator-friendly Uncrustables sandwiches, allowing storage for up to five days without thawing while retaining freezer aisle availability.
This format shift enhances consumer convenience and may influence frozen food strategies by integrating refrigerated options into traditional frozen product lines.
The change reflects a design pivot toward flexibility, potentially altering retail storage and marketing approaches for frozen products.
Planteneers delivers additive-free texture and taste for alternatives
Planteneers introduces additive-free functional systems for plant-based alternatives, offering clean-label solutions for meat and dairy products without synthetic stabilizers or chemical additives.
The clean-label approach aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency, influencing frozen food manufacturers seeking to reformulate products with natural ingredients and avoid controversial additives.
This innovation supports frozen food producers aiming to meet clean-label trends by providing functional systems that eliminate synthetic additives while maintaining texture and taste in plant-based frozen products.
From Regional Heritage to Global Retail
Frozen pizza brand Svila discusses evolving product formats, clean-label ingredients, and global expansion strategies to meet modern consumer demands while preserving Italian culinary heritage.
Svila’s approach to balancing tradition with innovation in frozen pizza formats and ingredients offers insights into evolving consumer preferences and production strategies in the frozen food sector.
The brand’s focus on clean-label ingredients and versatile formats highlights a growing trend in frozen food manufacturing to align with health-conscious and convenience-driven shoppers.
Koelnmesse Posts Strong 2025 Results as Flagship Trade Fairs and Global Expansion Drive Growth
Koelnmesse reported EUR455.5 million revenue in 2025, driven by strong performance at its flagship events, including Anuga, the food and beverage trade fair, and global expansion efforts.
The success of Koelnmesse's events, particularly Anuga, highlights the ongoing importance of trade fairs in driving growth and innovation within the global food industry, including frozen food sectors.
Koelnmesse's financial results and the performance of Anuga indicate a strong global demand for food industry networking and innovation, which can influence frozen food manufacturers and suppliers seeking international exposure.
Frostkrone Foodservice Bets on Flexible Dining With Finger Foods Built for Speed and Margin
Frostkrone Foodservice introduces a range of frozen finger foods designed for speed, flexibility and margin, including Cheesy Loops, Alm Bites, Cauliflower Bites and Old Amsterdam Cheese Bites, tailored for foodservice operators.
The product range addresses evolving foodservice demand for quick, flexible, and high-margin menu items, offering frozen solutions that align with modern dining trends and operational efficiency needs.
Frostkrone’s frozen finger foods provide foodservice operators with ready-to-prepare options that cater to shifting consumer preferences and high-volume service demands, emphasizing convenience and variety.
Jollibee Buzzes with New Bite-Sized Chicken Nuggets and Dipping Sauces
Jollibee introduced bite-sized chicken nuggets and dipping sauces to its menu, available in various portion sizes and served in mini buckets similar to its Chickenjoy fried chicken.
The introduction of bite-sized chicken nuggets expands Jollibee's frozen food offerings, potentially influencing frozen foodservice and retail strategies for chicken-based products.
The product format and serving method suggest a focus on convenience and portion control, which may resonate with frozen foodservice and retail operators looking to diversify their chicken product lines.
Cold Chain, Refrigeration & Logistics
Cold Chain Packaging Market Seen Reaching USD93.1bn by 2033
The global cold chain packaging market is projected to reach USD93.1bn by 2033, driven by demand from food distributors, e-commerce and other sectors requiring temperature-controlled logistics.
This growth underscores the rising importance of reliable cold chain packaging for preserving product quality in frozen food and perishable goods distribution networks.
The forecast highlights increasing investment in advanced packaging solutions to meet complex supply chain demands and ensure temperature integrity during transport.
Packaging, Materials & Sustainability
ExxonMobil-Led Collaboration Develops Ionomer-Free Vacuum Packaging Film
ExxonMobil and partners have created an ionomer-free vacuum packaging film using multilayer polyethylene that maintains mechanical performance while reducing costs compared to traditional ionomer-based films.
This development offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for frozen food packaging, addressing material cost pressures and supply constraints without compromising seal integrity or tear resistance during transport and storage.
The shift to polyethylene-based films may influence packaging sourcing strategies by providing a viable alternative to ionomers in vacuum-sealed applications where performance and cost efficiency are critical.
PackUK updates RAM 2027 to clarify recyclability rules for pEPR
PackUK has updated its RAM 2027 framework to clarify recyclability rules for the UK’s packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) program, affecting producers in 2027.
The updated RAM 2027 framework impacts packaging recyclability assessments, which directly affects frozen food producers and cold-chain operators managing packaging compliance and costs.
This update strengthens the link between packaging sustainability and compliance for frozen food operators, requiring them to align with new recyclability definitions and data systems.
CAA Releases First Oregon Annual Report for Packaging EPR Program
CAA Oregon released its first annual report on the state’s paper and packaging EPR program, detailing expanded recycling access, new infrastructure, and producer-funded investments across Oregon.
The expansion of recycling infrastructure and producer-funded investments in Oregon may influence packaging sustainability strategies for frozen food companies operating in or sourcing from the region.
Oregon’s EPR program establishes a framework for producer responsibility that could shape packaging compliance and cost structures for frozen food manufacturers and suppliers in the state.
Amcor study finds recyclable packaging influences consumers
Amcor's study reveals 62% of nut consumers are significantly more likely to purchase products with recyclable packaging, indicating a shift in consumer preferences toward sustainability.
The growing emphasis on recyclable packaging affects frozen food and snack brands, requiring them to adapt packaging strategies to meet consumer expectations and maintain competitiveness.
Sustainable packaging is becoming a key differentiator in product selection, pushing frozen food manufacturers to prioritize eco-friendly materials and designs to align with shifting consumer priorities.
Researchers test clay for packaging to control produce ripening
Danish researchers tested chemically modified montmorillonite clay in fresh produce packaging to absorb ethylene and slow ripening and quality loss in fruits and vegetables.
The frozen-food relevance is adjacent, as ethylene control in packaging could inform similar material applications for extending shelf life and managing quality in frozen produce through advanced packaging solutions.
This innovation may offer a sustainable approach for packaging developers to manage ripening in both fresh and frozen supply chains, though real-world testing is needed before commercialization.
Food Safety & Regulation
FDA steps up import enforcement action on infant formula, cantaloupes and seafood
The FDA has updated import alerts to increase enforcement actions on infant formula, cantaloupes, and seafood imports, emphasizing stricter compliance with food safety regulations.
This regulatory shift may require frozen food importers and cold-chain operators handling high-risk products to adjust compliance protocols and documentation practices to align with heightened FDA scrutiny.
The FDA's focus on import enforcement signals a tightening of compliance expectations, prompting operators in high-risk sectors to proactively review their supply chain controls and documentation standards.
Experts make case for domestic food safety focus
Experts cite updated WHO foodborne illness data to argue for redirecting resources from trade to domestic food safety prevention and control measures.
The shift in focus could influence regulatory priorities and operational strategies for frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain operators handling domestic food safety risks.
Food safety teams may need to reassess risk management protocols and resource allocation in processing and distribution based on updated disease burden data.
Campylobacter is Ireland’s Highest-Burden Foodborne Pathogen
Ireland's Food Safety Authority ranks Campylobacter as the highest-burden foodborne pathogen, based on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 2015 to 2019.
The identification of Campylobacter as the leading foodborne pathogen in Ireland highlights the need for enhanced food safety measures across the frozen food supply chain to prevent contamination and reduce public health risks.
This data reinforces the importance of robust food safety protocols in frozen food processing and cold-chain operations, particularly in preventing Campylobacter outbreaks linked to undercooked or contaminated products.
New Zealand Releases Guidance to Standardize Checks at Multi-Site Food Businesses
New Zealand has released standardized food safety verification guidance for multi-site food businesses to improve consistency and reduce regulatory costs nationwide.
The standardized approach may influence compliance strategies for frozen food manufacturers and cold-chain operators with multi-site operations, reducing unpredictability in regulatory enforcement.
The guidance supports a risk-based sampling approach that could streamline verification processes for frozen food businesses with multiple locations, aligning with broader regulatory reforms.
Experts Offer Global Food Systems Preparedness Framework for Nuclear, Radiological Accidents
Experts from the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency recommend a global framework for food safety preparedness following nuclear or radiological accidents, emphasizing independent scientific review and international harmonization.
The framework addresses food safety and trade controls after nuclear incidents, which could influence frozen food supply chains, cold-chain operations, and regulatory compliance in international markets.
The proposed framework may impact frozen food operators by reinforcing the need for standardized safety protocols and international collaboration in post-accident food monitoring and trade decisions.
BAP & Great British Chefs Collaborate in Responsible Seafood Campaign
BAP and Great British Chefs launched a campaign to promote responsible seafood sourcing through BAP-certified producers, featuring recipes and educational content for chefs and consumers.
The campaign highlights the growing importance of traceable and responsibly sourced seafood, which may influence frozen seafood processors and retailers in meeting consumer demand for transparency and sustainability.
This initiative aligns with increasing consumer and industry focus on sustainable sourcing, which could impact frozen seafood supply chains and product labeling strategies.
FDA adds caffeine labeling to regulatory priority list
The FDA has placed caffeine labeling on its 2026 regulatory priority list, aiming to clarify requirements for disclosing caffeine content in food and beverages.
This regulatory focus may require manufacturers of frozen beverages or snacks with added caffeine to adjust labeling practices and ensure compliance with potential new guidelines.
The FDA's emphasis on caffeine disclosure could increase compliance burdens for manufacturers handling caffeinated ingredients in frozen products, requiring clearer labeling protocols.
Potato, Bakery, Seafood & Ingredients
McCain Foods Launches Seasoned SureCrisp Fries as Takeout Demand Reshapes Restaurant Menus
McCain Foods USA has launched SureCrisp Seaside fries, a pre-seasoned, straight-cut fry designed to maintain crispness during transport and meet the growing demand for quality takeout and delivery options.
The product addresses a key challenge in foodservice operations where fries often lose texture during delivery, offering a solution that supports restaurant quality control and customer satisfaction in off-premise dining.
This launch highlights how frozen potato products are evolving to meet the specific needs of foodservice operators navigating the shift toward takeout and delivery, emphasizing texture retention and convenience.
Manufacturing, Automation & Operations
GEA consolidates biotechnology center to accelerate scale-up
GEA invests €4 million to consolidate its biotechnology center in Sarstedt, Germany, to accelerate the scale-up of alternative proteins and biotech processes from lab to industrial production.
The consolidation of GEA’s biotechnology center provides a critical infrastructure for scaling up biological processes, which is essential for frozen food manufacturers exploring alternative proteins and functional ingredients.
This investment strengthens the industrial capacity for scaling biotech innovations, which could directly benefit frozen food producers looking to integrate alternative proteins or functional enzymes into their product lines.