The Truth About Frozen Food Supermarket Products | Food Unwrapped | Channel 4

Summary

In this investigative series, the spotlight is on supermarket freezer aisles, uncovering the science and secrets behind popular frozen foods. From the importance of batter for perfectly crispy oven chips to the intriguing best before dates on frozen ready meals, viewers are taken on a chilling journey. The show delves into the scoopability of ice cream, influenced by ingredients and freezing techniques, and explores regional preferences for chip toppings across the UK. Practical freezer tips from a food safety expert round off the episode, offering viewers ways to save money and reduce waste by optimizing their home freezer use.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The average person spends 38 hours a year in supermarkets, both physically and virtually.
• 🍟 Frozen chips are a popular choice in the UK, with over 8 million Brits consuming at least one portion per week.
• 🍽️ The addition of rice flour and other ingredients in frozen chips helps create a crispy texture when cooked.
• 🧊 The method of freezing chips, including a gradual temperature drop and quick freezing, prevents them from becoming soggy.
• 📈 Sales in the freezer aisle have increased by 13-12% in the past three years due to budget constraints.
• 🥘 The popularity of frozen ready meals is rising as household budgets feel the pinch.
• ⏳ A 'Best before' date on frozen food is necessary because, over time, small ice crystals can grow into larger ones that damage the food's quality.
• 🍦 Ice cream accounts for 20% of all frozen food sales in the UK, with a variety of flavors and textures available.
• 🥄 The 'scoopability' of ice cream is influenced by the ingredients and the amount of air incorporated into the mix.
• 🧂 Regional preferences in the UK for chip toppings vary, with ketchup being particularly popular in Essex, and curry sauce in the West Midlands.
• 💡 Using sauces with chips can lead to an increase in consumption by about 40%, which is something to consider when watching one's diet.

Q & A

How many hours do we spend on average per year in supermarkets?

On average, we spend 38 hours a year walking the aisles of supermarkets and scrolling their websites.

What is the significance of the rice flour in frozen chips?

Rice flour, along with other flours, is part of the batter mix to coat frozen chips. The starch in rice flour gives a really glassy coating, making the chips very crispy.

Why do frozen chips need to be frozen quickly?

Quick freezing prevents the formation of large ice crystals that could ruin the chips' crunch, leading to a soggy finished product when cooked.

What is the role of the batter in ensuring the chips' crunch?

The batter, which includes rice flour and other ingredients, is essential for creating a crispy texture on the chips. It helps maintain the crunch when they are cooked in an oven.

Why do frozen ready meals have a 'Best Before' date even though they don't spoil in the freezer?

The 'Best Before' date is for quality, not safety. Over time, even with fast freezing, small ice crystals can grow into larger ones, damaging the food's texture and leading to a mushy product when defrosted.

What is the purpose of the blast freezer in the production of frozen ready meals?

The blast freezer is used to freeze food as quickly as possible to preserve quality by creating smaller ice crystals that prevent damage to the food's cell walls.

Why are some ice creams easier to scoop than others?

The ease of scooping ice cream is related to the freezing point depression factor (FTPF) of the ingredients. Sweeter ingredients with a higher FTPF, like honeycomb, make the ice cream softer and easier to scoop.

What is the role of air in making ice cream scoopable?

Air is incorporated into the ice cream during the freezing process to create a lighter and fluffier texture. This is known as overrun, and the right amount of air is crucial for the ice cream's scoopability.

What is the optimal temperature for a home freezer?

The optimal temperature for a home freezer is minus 18 degrees Celsius, as it stops bacterial growth and preserves the quality of frozen food.

How can we store food in the freezer to save energy and reduce food waste?

Food should be stored in portions, using freezable bags or containers that minimize air exposure. Filling the freezer with these containers and using materials like bubble wrap to fill awkward spaces can save energy and reduce waste.

What are some regional differences in chip toppings preferences in the UK?

Ketchup is popular, especially in Essex, while mushy peas are favored in the North of England. Curry sauce is popular in Wales and the West Midlands, and gravy is a favorite in Manchester and the Northwest.