The UK chilled food industry, which produces chilled prepared meals, is the most advanced in the world providing a choice of over 12,000 foods that are quick and easy to prepare. The industry makes a range of foods to meet a variety of consumer needs, from foods for the more health conscious consumer to indulgent treats for those special occasions.
Chilled prepared meal recipe ranges and standards are unparalleled, ranging from traditional British to international recipes. Members of the CFA, who include many of the leading makers of prepared foods, would not advocate a single dietary route and believe that eating a balanced diet is key.
The vast majority of people buy chilled prepared meals as part of a weekly shop, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. People often cook on some nights and eat ready meals on others, often accompanied by a salad or vegetables.
After food safety, taste and nutritional quality are the most important criteria. Chilled prepared meals are made from high quality ingredients with full traceability at every stage of the food chain. They are made from seasonal raw materials where possible, but, as production is year round overseas sources area also used and these must meet UK standards. Foods are made to order with short production runs and are often delivered on the same day to retailers.
As temperature is the principle means of keeping the food fresh, food additives, such as preservatives, are rarely used in chilled prepared meals. Manufacturers use ingredients and cooking methods that are found traditionally in a normal domestic kitchen and, unlike many other countries, UK chilled foods have very short shelf lives, typically from 1-10 days.
Chilled food manufacturers are aware of Department of Health recommendations to reduce fat and salt consumption in the general population and, in partnership with their retail customers [1] take this into account when developing products and recipes. In many cases the industry has already achieved the targets ahead of government guidelines.
In addition, chilled prepared meals provide convenience in buying, preparing and cooking food helping to reduce the amount of time and energy consumers would otherwise spend looking for/buying, washing and preparing the different ingredients that make up a meal. They also reduce waste by cutting down on the need for consumers to buy unnecessary or large quantities of ingredients which may then be wasted. They also help to reduce waste in the manufacturing process as the non-edible materials, such as peels, vegetable tops, bones etc, are removed during preparation instead of going into domestic waste.
The chilled food industrys approach to food safety and quality is second to none. Such high standards are essential as it is not possible to turn poor quality raw materials into high quality end-products that consumers wish to buy again and again. In 2004, over 80% of UK households bought a chilled prepared meal with over 40% buying one within any given month[2].
[1]Over 95% of UK chilled food is retail branded. Source: CFA members
[2]Source TNS 2005
