Food preservation is an important step in maintaining the nutritional quality of food over time. This is generally achieved through the use of preservatives that slow down the influence of biological factors. In the case of frozen food, however, cold is the only method of preservation. In this respect, the regulations governing frozen food (Legislative Decree No. 110 of 27/1/92) stipulate that no preservatives must be added. The possible use of preservatives in a deep-frozen product is only legitimate when the additive is not functional for deep-freezing but is already present in the raw material or ingredients used.
European legislation guarantees the quality of raw materials and the hygienic conditions of frozen food through the control of the Health Authority, which verifies the state of preservation of the product from the packaging. Frozen food must be sold in packages sealed by the manufacturer, with suitable materials to protect the product from contamination. The label must contain information on raw materials, preservation instructions, Minimum Preservation Term, ingredients and allergens, to enable the consumer to make an informed purchase.
People are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet, paying attention to the wholesomeness of the food they eat. Nutritionists agree that ‘eating colourful’ ensures an adequate intake of nutrients for daily needs. Thanks to frozen food, it is possible to follow the Mediterranean diet throughout the year, having access to a wide range of vegetables harvested during the growing season and frozen. This makes it possible to consume vegetables out of season while maintaining a varied and balanced diet.
Research conducted by the National Research Institute for Food and Nutrition has shown that the belief that frozen food contains less nutrients than fresh food is unfounded. On the contrary, they revealed that, for example, artichokes lose 30% of their vitamin C after three days at room temperature, while in asparagus and broccoli there is an 80% decrease and even in spinach after only two days there is a 75% loss. The research therefore shows that frozen products are more nutritious than fresh ones. This is due to the fact that vegetables are harvested, cleaned, washed, blanched in boiling water or steamed and then frozen within a few hours, which keeps all their nutritional values intact. Similarly, fish are caught, cleaned, washed and frozen directly on board the boats. Many nutritionists agree that frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh ones, and furthermore, the consumption of frozen vegetables is preferable to the consumption of fresh greenhouse-grown vegetables, as plants subjected to this type of cultivation lose most of their antioxidant properties.
The consumption of frozen food saves on the use of water and electricity, as the products are already cleaned and washed. In addition, it helps reduce household waste and promotes waste separation.
According to Professor Giovanni Siri of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University of Milan, frozen products are suitable for different dietary needs because they contain less fat and preserve vitamins for a long time. They are ideal for children, the elderly, those who want to control their weight, those on vegetarian or special diets, and can be cooked with any cooking method.
With the increasingly hectic pace of life, many people have little time to cook. However, this does not mean that they want to give up the taste and quality of food. Frozen foods are therefore a perfect solution as they are ready-to-use foods that are easier and quicker to prepare, but at the same time provide the proper nutritional intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
A further advantage of frozen foods is their price. Mistakenly believed to be more expensive than fresh food, this is often not the case. One has to consider that when one buys a fillet or a frozen vegetable, one uses the whole product, since before freezing these foods have been stripped of their inedible parts (bones, skins, peels, etc.). Furthermore, while fresh products may be subject to price variations throughout the year, frozen products are not affected by seasonal price increases because they are harvested/fished and processed at more convenient times and in the appropriate seasons.
Everything we have learnt about frozen food at your disposal.
