Trader Joe's has recalled its popular frozen Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings due to potential plastic contamination, with the affected products having a best by date of 03.07.25 and lot code C1-1 or C1-2. The grocery store chain has urged customers to discard the product or return it for a full refund, emphasizing that there have been no reported illnesses or injuries associated with the recall.
A taste test of six popular frozen breakfast sausage links ranked the sausages from least favorite to best. The Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Original Pork Sausage Links were found to be rubbery and had a strong black pepper flavor. Banquet Brown 'N Serve Original Sausage Links were drier but well-seasoned. Johnsonville Fully Cooked Original Breakfast Sausage Links had a mild, savory flavor and a convenient resealable bag. Jones Dairy Farm Mild Pork Sausage had a natural, meaty taste and a short ingredient list. Fork In the Road Foods Vermont Maple Syrup Breakfast Sausage had a natural casing, juicy texture, and a sweet taste from Vermont maple syrup. Teton Waters Ranch Original Beef Breakfast Sausage had a beefy flavor, juicy texture, and no added sugar.
Conagra Brands, the leading frozen food company, saw its stock hit its lowest level since March 2020 as consumers shift away from convenience items and towards "hands-on food prep" to stretch their budgets. While Conagra beat earnings expectations in Q1, sales of refrigerated and frozen items dropped 4.6% compared to the previous year. Other frozen food companies, such as Kraft Heinz and J.M. Smucker, are also experiencing declines. Despite the current consumer shift, Conagra remains optimistic about the long-term growth prospects of frozen food, citing continued innovation and expansion in the space.
The surging demand for frozen food in the US, which reached over $72 billion in sales in 2022, is putting pressure on the critical cold storage supply chains that support the $265 billion global frozen food market. The COVID-19 pandemic has further fueled the growth of frozen food sales, as consumers turned to bulk buying and long-term storage options. However, the outdated mechanical refrigeration systems currently in use contribute to approximately 13% of global food waste annually. Companies like Phononic and Lineage Logistics are working to address these challenges by developing innovative solutions to improve the efficiency and safety of the cold storage supply chain.
