| The Inuit peoples have used freezing as a way of | | | | to buy a freezer the convenience of frozen food |
| preserving food for generations. Of course they | | | | became a staple food source for many families. |
| have the ideal freezing conditions. The simple | | | | Frozen fish became a popular meal as companies |
| method of using their abundant natural resources | | | | produced a variety of fish meals complete with |
| to store food has enabled them to have a rich | | | | sauces. These Boil in the Bag fish meals were |
| source of protein even when fishing expeditions | | | | ideally suited to the busy lifestyles of working |
| where fruitless. | | | | families. |
| The ancient Chinese also use ice cellars to | | | | In the 1980s people began to become more |
| preserve their food during the winter months | | | | nutritionally aware. Frozen foods producers were |
| when sources of food were short. The Romans | | | | quick to react and promoted their products by |
| also used compressed snow to preserve their | | | | introducing a range of pre-packaged frozen foods |
| foods. | | | | which concentrated on encouraging people to eat |
| Modern food freezing began in the early 20th | | | | a more healthy diet which included fish. |
| century. The process adopted by the inhabitants | | | | The 1990s saw the need to have a more varied |
| of Labrador, Canada, of using extreme | | | | diet in both terms of health and use of exotic |
| temperatures to fast freeze fish to retain the | | | | ingredients which had been regarded solely as |
| quality, texture and taste was observed and | | | | luxuries in previous decades. The order of the day |
| taken back to the United States. | | | | was for frozen food manufactures to produce |
| Fast freezing techniques are still used today, the | | | | food which was low cost, convenient, low |
| process involves rapidly freezing food at | | | | wastage with the additional aspect of being |
| extremely low temperatures so that small ice | | | | completely safe to consume. |
| crystals are formed which will not damage the cell | | | | The new millennium arrived and with it a whole |
| structure of the fish. | | | | host of TV cooking shows advising the nation to |
| The first frozen meals were available in the UK | | | | become more experimental as well as health |
| back in the 1950s. Bulk buying provided an | | | | conscious with our foods. Fresh and frozen fish |
| economical way of purchasing food. However not | | | | was and continues to be highly recommended by |
| all families had or could afford to buy a freezer! | | | | TV chefs as a great way to provide a wide |
| The swinging 60s saw a the need for people to | | | | range of healthy eating dinners which are quick |
| spend less time in the kitchen and more time | | | | and simple to prepare. |
| having fun. Pre-packaged frozen food became an | | | | As you can see over hundreds of years frozen |
| increasingly popular way to provide nutritious | | | | fish has become a staple food source for people |
| meals which required very little preparation. | | | | throughout the world. The health benefits of |
| During the 1970s frozen food saw a dramatic | | | | eating fresh or frozen fish is more prominent |
| increase in consumer use. With many families able | | | | today than ever before. |