The safety of frozen food as it passes through the distribution chain is to be scientifically investigated by the EU. The probe is part of a new 600m euro programme of research into food safety and health risks. The Commission said: "Frozen foods continue to take up an increasing proportion of our daily food consumption in Europe. This preservation technique is often perceived as a method to produce cheap and convenient products." Innovative techniques increasingly produce high quality foods with a good safety record, said the Commission. However, the weak link in bringing these innovations to the public is often the distribution chain. Brussels argues that changes in composition of frozen foods and the monitoring and control of temperature throughout distribution could lead to an increase in the number of high quality frozen food products for sale. The study is to be directed by Dr Chris Kennedy of the Procter Department of Food Science at the University of Leeds. {{NEWS }}