Arlington, VA – Following the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report, the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) reinforces that frozen foods are critical to nutrition access, align with healthy dietary patterns and promote positive public health outcomes. AFFI recognizes the importance of the MAHA Commission’s focus on improving children’s health and shares the goal of advancing nutrition through science-based policies and informed dialogue. The MAHA Commission underscores the urgency of expanding access to nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and balanced meals, and AFFI highlights that frozen foods offer valuable solutions.
“Frozen food makers use freezing to lock in nutrition and taste, making healthy eating accessible to all Americans,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor. “This means that families have access to peak-fresh fruits and vegetables year-round, a variety of food options that meet their dietary needs, and portion-balanced meals that help moderate caloric intakes.”
Detailed below are examples of how frozen food is a solution in driving nutrition access and can help reduce chronic disease:
- Freezing is Nature’s Pause Button: Freezing is “nature’s pause button,” naturally preserving shelf life by stopping the processes that lead to spoilage and loss of nutrition. This means frozen food makers capture the nutrition, flavors, texture and appearance of our favorite foods with a simple change in temperature.
- Makes Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Easy: Fruits and vegetables are flash frozen within hours of harvest, and frozen produce has the same nutrition as its non-frozen counterparts. Frozen fruits and vegetables come pre-washed and pre-chopped and are less likely to go to waste. Research finds that consumers who eat frozen fruits and vegetables eat more produce overall.
- Variety for Everyone: The frozen food category has undergone a significant evolution in recent decades, meaning that consumers have access to a variety of delicious meals and authentic recipes that align with their dietary goals. Dietitians regularly recommend “better-for-you” frozen foods, such as those that are lower in sodium, higher in protein, or contain whole grains, and better-for-you foods represent a popular and growing segment in the category.
- A Nutritionally Comparable, Easy-to-Prepare Meal Solution: Consumers can feel good about frozen without worrying about time. A recent analysis found that the best-selling frozen meals and side dishes are within 5% of the percent Daily Value for homemade counterparts in nutrients such as total fat, saturated fat, sodium, fiber and protein, and also have a comparable cost.
As policymakers consider reforms to nutrition recommendations and programs such as school meals or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), AFFI urges the inclusion of all forms of wholesome food, including frozen, to ensure year-round access for families in every community. For example, the Supporting All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce (SHOPP) Act (S.813, H.R. 1782) would ensure the inclusion of frozen fruits and vegetables in nutrition incentive programs, which encourage healthy eating by making nutrient dense foods more accessible and affordable.
“The frozen food industry is committed to being a transparent partner, using safe and clearly-listed ingredients, and offering the solutions consumers need,” added Bodor. “AFFI stands ready to support a science-driven approach to building a healthier future for America’s children, and frozen foods are part of the solution.”
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