Iceland Foods has unveiled a new vacuum packaging solution for its beef and pork mince range, promising to extend product shelf life and significantly reduce plastic waste.

The supermarket chain is replacing traditional plastic trays with airtight vacuum packaging across its entire mince offering.

This move is expected to increase the shelf life of beef mince by nearly 50%, keeping the product fresher for up to two and a half weeks.

Notably, Iceland said it is the first UK supermarket to introduce vacuum packaging for pork mince as well.

Following a successful trial in 50 stores, the new packaging will be rolled out to more than 1,000 stores nationwide and online this month.

The compact design maintains product quality and value while improving availability for customers.

Beyond product freshness, the packaging change is anticipated to deliver substantial environmental benefits.

Specifically, the reduced packaging size will enable more efficient transportation, lowering Iceland's carbon footprint.

Moreover, the vacuum packs contain 50% less plastic than traditional trays, resulting in an estimated annual reduction of 35 tonnes of plastic waste.

“Our new vacuum-packaged beef mince means our customers are getting the same quality-assured beef mince they love, but with an even longer shelf life,” said Zach Nowell, category buying manager for Fresh Meat and Poultry at Iceland Foods.

“Now more than ever it’s important for families to get the best value for money when doing their weekly shopping, and our new packaging offers a wider selection of longer-lasting quality products.”

Iceland's adoption of vacuum packaging for its mince range marks a significant step towards reducing food waste and plastic consumption within the retail sector.

The industry will be watching closely to assess the impact of this initiative on both consumer behaviour and environmental performance.