CHILLED FOOD ASSOCIATION LIMITED

What CHILLED FOOD ASSOCIATION LIMITED does

Chilled Food Association Limited (CFA) is a UK trade association founded in 1989 that represents manufacturers in the UK chilled prepared food industry. The association operates from Market Harborough (main trading address) and Kettering (registered office) and serves as the recognised voice of the sector with UK and European Government departments and agencies. CFA's membership base includes many of the UK's largest chilled food manufacturers operating across a £10bn+ industry sector that employs more than 100,000 people at 130+ sites and produces 15,000+ different products annually.

CFA's core offerings are technical guidance documents and best practice publications rather than technology products. Key publications include the Best Practice Guidelines for the Production of Chilled Food (the membership benchmark), Microbiological Guidance for Produce Suppliers (MGG series), Water Quality Management Guidelines, and Shelf Life Guidance addressing non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum. The association runs the multi-phase SUSSLE research programme (2008-2018, funded by a £750k DEFRA grant) and operates the Chilled Education initiative promoting food science careers. It maintains an extensive partner network including the Food Standards Agency, BRC, Campden BRI, Quadram Institute Bioscience, and Leatherhead Food Research.

CFA generates revenue through two primary streams: recurring membership subscriptions from UK chilled food manufacturers, and one-time sales of technical publications (priced £15-£100 per document) via its own online shop, TSO bookshops, and partners such as the Fire Protection Association. Membership fees are not publicly disclosed. Marketing and member engagement are conducted through the CFA website (chilledfood.org), biannual newsletters, LinkedIn and Twitter presence, and participation in industry events including IAFP conferences.

Name

CHILLED FOOD ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Legal name

Chilled Food Association Ltd

Website

https://chilledfood.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chilled Food Association Limited is a UK trade association founded in 1989 that represents major chilled prepared food manufacturers, providing food safety guidance, technical publications, regulatory representation, and industry research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Industry Trade Association Services

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Other Publishers (51319)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory Consulting & Compliance Program Management (FDA/USDA/EFSA) (AFALADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Industry Licensing, Registration & Compliance Audits (HLAJAEAG), Audit-Ready Controls, Assurance & Compliance Workflow Tools (CSRD/SEC/ISSB) (EUABAEAG), Import/Export & Border Compliance Support (FSVP, Prior Notice, Health Certificates) (AFALADAE)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Food safety guidance
• Chilled food standards
• Industry best practice
• Microbiological guidelines

Headquarters

HQ city

Market Harborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Revenue generated through membership subscriptions from chilled food manufacturers. The association represents many of the UK's biggest chilled food manufacturers.
2. Publications and Guidance Documents: Sale of technical publications, guidelines, and best practice documents. Examples include Best Practice Guidelines for the Production of Chilled Food (£100), Water Quality Management Guidelines (£55), and various other technical guidance documents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CFA is a UK trade association that provides its member chilled food manufacturers with technical guidance documents, best practice guidelines, microbiological standards, shelf-life research, and regulatory representation. It sells selected publications through its own online shop and the Stationery Office, runs industry research programmes such as SUSSLE, and delivers education initiatives under the Chilled Education brand.

Product overview

CHILLED FOOD ASSOCIATION LIMITED is a UK trade association for the chilled prepared food industry, NOT a technology product company. It does not offer software products or a platform. Its offerings consist entirely of industry guidance documents, publications, research programs, and newsletters that support food safety standards. The core offerings include the Best Practice Guidelines for the Production of Chilled Food (the benchmark standard for membership), Microbiological Guidance for Produce Suppliers (MGG series), Water Quality Management Guidelines, and Shelf Life Guidance addressing non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum. Additional offerings include specific guidance on beetroot and onion preparation for RTE applications, and the SUSSLE research program on sustainable shelf life extension. CFA also publishes regular newsletters and operates Chilled Education (promoting careers in the food industry).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Best Practice Guidelines for the Production of Chilled Food The recognised benchmark for best practice in the UK chilled food industry and the operational standard required for CFA membership. It takes an integrated, HACCP-based approach covering food safety principles, pathogen characteristics and process hurdles for chilled food production.
• Microbiological Guidance for Produce Suppliers to Chilled Food Manufacturers (MGG) Guidance for growers and suppliers of fresh, frozen and dehydrated produce on microbial food safety hazards and controls, particularly for minimally processed produce eaten without cooking. Built on risk assessment and HACCP principles.
• Water Quality Management Guidelines Guidance for chilled food manufacturers and their suppliers on site water quality management policies, covering prevention and management of potential microbiological, chemical and physical hazards from water used in chilled food manufacture.
• Guidelines for Setting Shelf Life of Chilled Foods in Relation to Non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum Industry guidance ensuring food business operators and laboratories have sufficient information to make valid decisions on shelf life of chilled foods in relation to non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum. Developed in partnership with BRC, Leatherhead Food Research, Meat & Livestock Australia and Quadram Institute Bioscience.
• Best Practice Guidance on Beetroot and Onion for Minimally Processed RTE Applications Best practice guidance for chilled food producers using raw salad and vegetable ingredients whose edible portion is grown in the ground, setting out a strategy to minimise potential Listeria contamination in minimally processed RTE applications.
• SUSSLE (SUStainable Shelf Life Extension) Research Programme Multi-phase collaborative research programme (2008-2018) tackling microbiological issues that limit chilled shelf life, funded by DEFRA and industry partners. Addresses non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum spore loads in food materials.
• CFA Newsletter Regular free newsletter providing updates on CFA's work programme, including industry news, guidance documents, regulatory updates, sustainability initiatives and Chilled Education news.
• Chilled Education Programme Education initiative promoting chilled food careers and food science in schools, delivered through the dedicated chillededucation.org website with resources for teachers and students, including participation in events such as the Big Bang Fair and teacher conferences.
• Assuring Safety of RTE Food in Relation to L. monocytogenes and Regulation 2073/2005 Guidance for Food Business Operators (2026) Guidance for food business operators on assuring the safety of ready-to-eat food in relation to Listeria monocytogenes and EU Regulation 2073/2005 microbiological criteria, sold via the CFA online shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• UK chilled food industry leads the world in standards and systems used to produce chilled prepared foods
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leatherhead Food ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2018Partnered with CFA, BRC, MLA, and Quadram Institute in 2018 consortium to issue Guidelines for Setting Shelf Life of Chilled Foods in Relation to Non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum.
• Food Standards Agency (FSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2007CFA works closely with FSA on regulatory guidance, food safety standards, and vacuum packed/MAP food safety. CFA's Director participated in FSA drafting groups for guidance on non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum. CFA provides technical expertise and industry perspective on food safety legislation.
• Fire Protection Association (FPA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2007CFA was instrumental in developing FIPG fire risk guidance. FPA distributes Fire Risk Minimisation Guidance for the Food Industry. CFA members receive free download access to the guidance.
• Advisory Committee for the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2006CFA engages with ACMSF on microbiological safety issues including botulism risk assessment. CFA presented evidence to ACMSF in June 2022 regarding botulinum neurotoxin-producing clostridia. ACMSF has recognised CFA's SUSSLE projects as a positive example of collaborative research.
• British Retail Consortium (BRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFA collaborates with BRC on food safety standards, guidance documents, and microbiological criteria. Jointly published Guidelines for Setting Shelf Life of Chilled Foods in Relation to Non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in 2018.
• Campden BRI (formerly Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association)coreTechnology or IntegrationCFA works with Campden BRI on food safety research, technical guidance, and industry standards. Campden BRI provides research capabilities that support CFA's technical publications and guidance documents.
• Institute of Food Research (IFR) / Quadram Institute BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFA collaborated with IFR on SUSSLE (Sustainable Shelf Life Extension) research projects (2008-2018) tackling microbiological issues limiting chilled shelf life. IFR conducted independent review of FSA's proposed 5-day rule restriction.
• Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with CFA, BRC, Leatherhead Food Research, and Quadram Institute in 2018 consortium for shelf life guidance development.
• InFiReS (Insurers' Fire Research Strategy Scheme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInFiReS published the Food Industry Code of Practice on Fire Risk Minimisation in association with CFA and other industry bodies. CFA led the original FIPG consortium that preceded this initiative.
• Association of Insurers and Risk Managers in Commerce (AIRMIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIRMIC supported the development of Fire Risk Minimisation Code of Practice for the Food Industry alongside CFA and FPA.
• Food Industry Panels Group (FIPG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFA led the original FIPG consortium (broad consortium of trade associations in food manufacturing, storage and distribution sectors) that developed fire risk minimisation guidance, which evolved into the InFiReS Code of Practice.
• Chilled Education (ChilledEducation.org)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFA's education initiative promoting chilled food careers and science education. The Chilled Education website (chillededucation.org) provides resources for teachers and students, with over 10 years of operation recognised.
• British Nutrition Foundation (BNF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFA partners with BNF on education initiatives as part of Chilled Education program.
• WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFA supports WRAP initiatives including water security, food waste reduction, and sustainability campaigns such as the 'Chill the Fridge Out' campaign.
• The Stationery Office (TSO)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCFA Best Practice Guidelines for the Production of Chilled Food published in partnership with TSO and available through TSO bookshops and online.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Food and Drink Federation (FDF): The largest UK trade association for food and drink manufacturers. Comparable as a UK food industry membership body that represents manufacturers with regulators and produces technical guidance, but operates across all food categories rather than specialising in chilled foods.
• Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA): International trade association for the cold-chain industry including temperature-controlled storage and logistics. Comparable as a cold-chain industry body, though focused more on logistics/warehousing than chilled food manufacturing standards.
• British Retail Consortium (BRC): UK trade association for retailers that also drives food-safety standards (BRC Global Standards). Comparable as a food-safety standards-setting body that partners with CFA, but with a broader retail and global remit beyond chilled foods.
• Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST): UK-based professional body for food scientists and technologists. Comparable as a UK food-sector knowledge body producing technical guidance, but focused on individual professional membership rather than corporate manufacturer membership.

Others

• Food Standards Agency (FSA): UK government regulator with which CFA partners on food-safety guidance. Not a direct peer, but adjacent: FSA sets the regulatory framework within which CFA's guidance helps members operate, and the two collaborate on drafting groups.

Direct peers

• Provision Trade Federation (PTF): UK trade federation for meat and related food businesses. Comparable as a UK food industry membership body representing manufacturers and producers with regulators, focused on meat/protein categories rather than chilled prepared foods.
• British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF): UK trade association for the frozen food industry. Directly comparable as a UK food-sector trade body representing manufacturers with regulators and producing technical/member guidance, focused on an adjacent cold-chain category.
• Campden BRI: UK food and drink research association providing technical guidance, research, and training to manufacturers. Highly comparable to CFA as a food-sector membership organisation producing best-practice guidance and research, with a broader remit across food categories.
• Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC): UK trade association for the fresh produce industry supplying retailers and foodservice. Comparable as a UK food-industry membership body that produces technical guidance and represents members with regulators, focused on produce — a key ingredient category for chilled food manufacturers.

Regional players

• Refrigerated Foods Association (US): US trade association for refrigerated prepared food manufacturers. Comparable to CFA as a trade body specifically representing the chilled/refrigerated prepared food sector with technical guidance and regulatory advocacy, but operating in the US market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/chilledfood
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chilled-food-association-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHILLED FOOD ASSOCIATION LIMITED