Frozen peas in the supermarket have a better carbon footprint than pickles – selected vegetables already contain a good organic and regional content
Vienna (OTS) – The Greenpeace market check took a close look at selected frozen vegetables during the cold season. The result is satisfactory: on average, 5 of the 10 varieties can be found in organic quality in the frozen food aisle, and at least two thirds of them come from Austrian agriculture. Peas, carrots, spinach, etc. from the frozen shelf are important suppliers of vitamins all year round and often have a better carbon footprint when purchased than in glass or cans. Interspar took first place in the range comparison, ahead of Spar, Billa Plus and Billa, all four of which scored “Very Good” thanks to their organic own brands.
Greenpeace agriculture expert Melanie Ebner says: “Even now in winter we need vitamin-rich vegetables. The first choice here should be seasonal and regional organic vegetables. But there is now also a large organic selection of frozen peas, spinach and the like from Austria. The market check shows that the own brands are ahead of the industrial brands when it comes to organic products. When comparing the environmental impacts, frozen vegetables do well: when you buy frozen peas, for example, they are better for the climate than the alternatives in glass or cans. The production of one kilogram of frozen peas requires 1.2 kilograms of CO2 to reach the supermarket checkout, but peas in cans or jars require 1.7 kilograms of CO2 – a full 40 percent more. However, what is crucial for the overall climate footprint of frozen vegetables is the behavior of buyers. The length of storage and processing at home have the greatest influence on the climate balance. Greenpeace recommends avoiding using your car when shopping, defrosting your freezer regularly and paying attention to the energy efficiency of the device when purchasing a new one.
Peas and spinach from the freezer are available in organic quality at all supermarkets. At the best-placed Interspar, at least seven of the ten types of vegetables surveyed have at least one organic product available. There are hardly any frozen organic beans on the market, and there are no organic soy beans at all. Almost two thirds of the varieties tested in the market check are also available from local farmers. What is striking is that environmentally friendly, organically produced vegetables are only offered by retail brands. The market check did not reveal any organic quality from Iglo, the best-known frozen food brand in Austria. “Brands like Iglo also have to fulfill their responsibility towards the environment and offer climate-friendly organic products. But we ourselves can also protect the environment through our actions in purchasing, storage and processing,” says Ebner.
The summary website article can be found here:
https://greenpeace.at/marktcheck/tiefkuehl-gemuese-feb24/
Image, video and audio material as well as further information can be found at this link: https://act.gp/42mIZ7S
The photos are available free of charge for editorial use with the credits © Mitja Kobal / Greenpeace. Videos can be used free of charge with the credit © Greenpeace.
Questions & Contact:
Melanie Ebner
Agriculture expert
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel.: +43 (0)664 4615 019
E-Mail: melanie.ebner@greenpeace.org
Magnus Reinel
Press spokesman
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel.: + 43 (0)664 8817 2210
E-Mail: magnus.reinel@greenpeace.org
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