Morrisons says freezer change will cut food prices

Morrisons has said it will be able to reduce grocery prices by raising the temperature of its freezers.

The supermarket chain will increase its frozen food temperatures from -18°C to -15°C in 10 stores as part of a trial to meet its net-zero goal by 2035.

The company, which has its headquarters in Bradford, claims to be the first UK retailer to make the move.

Ruth McDonald, Morrisons' corporate services director, told the BBC: "What we will be doing is investing every penny of that back into reducing prices for customers."

She added: "As soon as we saw the science, we knew we had to jump on board and really drive some action in this space.

"And that's because there is a significant opportunity to reduce emissions here.

"What we found through the scientific studies is that if the entire supply chain globally increased frozen food temperatures by just three degrees, that could drive significant reduction in carbon emissions."

Ms McDonald said there was "absolutely no risk to food safety" by increasing freezer temperatures by 3°C.

"Clearly, if you were to warm food up to the point where it had defrosted, then that might be a different conversation," she said.

"But this work, which is focused on a 3°C change, has no impact on food safety whatsoever."

Thomas Eskesen, chairman of the Move to -15°C Coalition - a group that campaigns on this scheme - said: "We are delighted to welcome Morrisons to our coalition and are excited that they are taking action.

"In order for us to be successful with making the change to -15°C, it is essential that we have representatives and support from every stage of the frozen food supply chain, so to have a large UK retailer like Morrisons on board is an important step forward for us."

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