High tech is entering the frozen food sector to meet demand

In Japan, as in many countries, the health crisis has forced an increasing number of people to stay at home. A whole range of products has emerged to meet these needs and the Japanese industry is responding by offering new devices and systems using cleaner refrigerants as well as the brand new CAS (Cells Alive System) technology.

 

According to the NIKKEI Asia media, the Japanese frozen food industry has been boosted by the consequences of the pandemic. People are eating more meals at home and are turning to frozen products, especially for fruits and vegetables. Sales of frozen products in the country are expected to reach an all-time high in 2020.

 

New home delivery services for frozen products are being introduced. Freezer manufacturers and other related companies are mobilizing.

 

Takahashi Galilei, manufacturer of professional Tunnel Freezer type freezers, has just released a smaller and more efficient version for deep freezing of products. The freezing speed is doubled and the size of the machine halved.

 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration presented a compact refrigeration system that uses natural refrigerants. The new system uses carbon dioxide and ammonia as refrigerants to reduce the environmental impact.

 

Another innovation is the brand new CAS system (Cells Alive System). CAS creates a magnetic field around food and vibrates the water molecules inside the food to prevent them from clumping together into large ice crystals. Ice crystals are smaller, the amount of ice in the frozen product is reduced, and when food is thawed there is a marked decrease in the amount of water flowing.

 

These novelties arouse a lot of interest both in Japan and abroad. Japanese professionals believe that this equipment and the advanced technologies used may soon begin to reshape the global frozen food market.