PRESERVING FOOD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1944, Page 6

PRESERVING FOOD

QUICK-FREEZING METHOD

The Internal Marketing Division will shortly be commencing a new method of food procesring'—new, at any rate, to New Zealrnd. It is the "quick freezing" method of preserving such vegetables as peas, beans, cauliflower, ■'pinerh. etc.. under a system of very i fas!, reduction to zero temperature. ! This information was given by the j Minister of Marketing (Mr. Roberts) today. "One of the best-known 'quick freeze" companies in America is Birds'ciye Foods, Limited, and under arrangements with their New Zealand associated company, Messrs. Lever Bros.. Ltd.," said Mr. Roberts, "the division is installing in its Pukekohe vegetable dehydration and fresh packing plant two multiplate Birdseye frosters to process approximately 100 tons monthly of fresh green vegetables for the use of the American forces in their hospitals and convalescent bases. None of the quick frozen goods will be available for local marketing. \ FRESHNESS RETAINED. "The process has the very distinct advantage -of preserving the full freshness and nutritive value of the vegetable, or it may be of fish, fillets of meat, or such fruits as strawberries, raspberries, etc., even better than the process whereby such goods are forwarded through ordinary wholesale and retail channels before reaching the consumer. Peas and beans will be brought in straight from the field by means of viners, processed through the ■division's plant and then placed in small packages of 2ilb and 51b into the multiplate frosters. in approximately 2\ hours the temperature . will have been reduced to zero, and the goods are preserved against deterioration and breakdown of the living cells, y.'hich is normal under ordinary freezing conditions. The goods will then be placed in zero storage for ultimate shipment to the Pacific for use by the American forces and hospitals. POST-WAR POSSIBILITIES. "It is not possible to estimate at this time the post-war value of such a process in New Zealand," added the' Minister, "except to" say that in the States where the fruit and vegetable season is generally shorter than in New Zealand, the 'quick freezing* method is outclassing all other forms of food preservation and has a wide popularity and use. The experience gained by the division will give some lead as to the possibilities of New Zealand utilising this method."