Iceland elevates minced meat standards with vacuum packaging innovation

UK – Iceland Foods has introduced a new vacuum packaging solution for its beef and pork mince range, aiming to extend product shelf life and significantly reduce plastic waste.

The supermarket chain is replacing traditional plastic trays with airtight vacuum packaging across its entire mince offering.

This innovative move is expected to increase the shelf life of beef mince by nearly 50%, keeping the product fresher for up to two and a half weeks.

Iceland is also the first UK supermarket to introduce vacuum packaging for pork mince. Following a successful trial in 50 stores, the new packaging will be rolled out to more than 1,000 stores nationwide and online this month.

The compact design maintains product quality and value while improving customer availability. Beyond product freshness, the packaging change is anticipated to deliver substantial environmental benefits.

Specifically, the reduced packaging size will enable more efficient transportation, lowering Iceland’s carbon footprint. The vacuum packs contain 50% less plastic than traditional trays, resulting in an estimated annual reduction of 35 tonnes of plastic waste.

Zach Nowell, category buying manager for Fresh Meat and Poultry at Iceland Foods, stated, “Our new vacuum-packaged beef mince means our customers are getting the same quality-assured beef mince they love, but with an even longer shelf life.

“Now more than ever it’s important for families to get the best value for money when doing their weekly shopping, and our new packaging offers a wider selection of longer-lasting quality products.”

Iceland’s adoption of vacuum packaging for its mince range marks a significant step towards reducing food waste and plastic consumption within the retail sector.

The industry will monitor this initiative closely to assess its impact on consumer behavior and environmental performance.

Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s replaced its plastic tray packaging with a new vacuum-packed alternative across its beef mince range, saving 450 tonnes of plastic annually.

This initiative results in a minimum 55% reduction in plastic per product. The beef mince products will be vacuum-packed for freshness by removing all oxygen, which typically causes a product to spoil eventually.

The new packaging will contain the same amount of beef mince but is smaller in size, helping customers use their freezer and fridge space more efficiently.

Claire Hughes, director of product and innovation at Sainsbury’s, remarked, “We know our customers expect us to be reducing the use of plastic across our products, and we’re constantly looking for new ways to innovate to meet our Plan for Better plastic reduction targets.

“We strive to be bold in our changes, which is why we’re pleased to be the first UK retailer to vacuum pack all our beef mince range without impacting the quantity or great quality of product that our customers expect.

“This is the latest in a long line of changes we have pioneered in the space working collaboratively with our suppliers, and customers can expect much more to come from Sainsbury’s.”

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE