Chilled and frozen products
Missing Dutch treats like bitterballen, frikandellen, fresh herring, kibbeling, chocolate custard, or hutspot? Order chilled and frozen products at Mr. Dutch Food.
Packaging
EPS box
After purchasing frozen products in the store, we place them in our extra-cold freezer for a few days until they are frozen to -30 ˚C before shipping them to you. This makes them extra resistant to temperature increases.
We ship your products in a suitable EPS box (polystyrene foam box) that matches the quantity of products you ordered. To keep the products cool or frozen, we use dry ice and/or special coolpacks. Both the EPS box and the coolpacks can be reused after delivery.
Tip: A full EPS box with cooled or frozen products stays cold better than a box with only a few items. Therefore, order enough products to make the best use of the available space in an EPS box. We offer EPS boxes in various sizes.
Special coolpacks
To keep the products cool or frozen, we use coolpacks with a melting point of 0˚C or special coolpacks with a melting point of -16˚C or -21 ˚C. We freeze the cooling elements down to -30˚C. The temperature of the coolpacks remains around the melting point for up to 24 hours, which works well for both frozen and chilled products. Since the coolpacks start to thaw when the ambient temperature is above the melting point, they may feel soft upon arrival, but they will still keep the products in the EPS box at the desired temperature.
Both the EPS box and the coolpacks can be reused after delivery. However, the special cooling elements with a low melting point of -16˚C or -21˚C will not or will not fully harden in a normal freezer at -18˚C.
Dry ice
We can also keep your shipments frozen using coolpacks in combination with dry ice. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide (CO₂) with a temperature of approximately -78.5 °C. It sublimates, meaning it transitions directly from a solid to a gas without melting. This makes it ideal for shipping frozen products, as it leaves no residual water and remains cold for a long time.
- Protect your hands: Wear gloves to prevent frostbite when collecting your products from the box.
- Ventilate properly: Place the EPS box with remaining dry ice in a well-ventilated area or outside. Keep it in the box with the lid closed.
- Reuse the EPS box: After a few days, the dry ice will have sublimated (disappeared). You can then keep the EPS box for personal use, for example, as a cooler box.
Packaging costs
Packaging costs are specified in a quote. The size of the EPS box and the quantity of coolpacks and/or dry ice depend on the volume of the products, the expected shipping time and the outside temperature in the Netherlands and your EU country at the time of shipping. On average, the costs per package will be between €10 and €20 and around 20 products fit in a large EPS box. We also have smaller EPS boxes for smaller orders.
Shipping times
Frozen shipments with UPS or FedEx
Chilled or frozen products require extra care. We offer a tailored shipping solution to ensure your shipment is delivered to your full satisfaction. We take into account the expected shipping time, the size of the shipment, and the outside temperature. Packages can be delivered to many European destinations within 1 or 2 working days.
We can opt for express shipping with UPS Express or FedEx in combination with special cool packs or dry ice. Alternatively, we can choose standard shipping with dry ice. Each situation and shipment is different. The quote will specify how we will ship your products.
How to order chilled and frozen products?
- Visit the Dutch website where you want to purchase chilled or frozen products.
- Add your chosen items to the shopping cart on that website.
- Share your shopping cart with us via the order form on our order page.
- (Detailed instructions and video tutorials on filling out the order form can be found under the "Order Instructions" section.)
- After submitting the order form with your shared cart, you’ll receive a quote from us.
- If you agree to the quote, you can pay via the provided payment link.
- We’ll then purchase the products for you in-store.
- Your groceries will be carefully packed and shipped to your address in the EU!
Mr. Dutch Food supplies Dutch products to private individuals and companies.
FAQ about chilled and frozen products
Can I order chilled and frozen products together?
Do you ship chilled /frozen products with non-perishables?
It may happen that the shipping costs are lower if we send two packages separately.
Are you sure my products will stay cold enough during delivery?
We have extensively tested EPS boxes, coolpacks, and dry ice. This has provided us with enough experience to keep your products at the right temperature during transport.
What is the shelf life of products upon arrival?
On the Albert Heijn and Jumbo websites, a product’s minimum shelf life after purchase is indicated. This shelf life applies from the date we purchase in the shop and ship the product to you. We buy fresh products on the day we send the package to ensure maximum shelf life. Please keep the delivery time to your address in mind.
Can I refreeze thawed frozen products?
What if my frozen products arrive thawed?
In principle, ordering chilled and/or frozen products is at your own risk. We have no control over potential delays by the shipping organization.
Ensure someone is available to receive the package. If no one is available to receive the package, the risk of thawed frozen products rests entirely with you.
If the issue is due to our error, we’ll propose a solution.
My received frozen products are still well-frozen, but the coolpacks have thawed. How is that possible?
This is quite possible. Coolpacks melt as soon as the surrounding temperature rises above their melting point. Standard cool packs have a melting point of 0˚C. We use special cool packs with melting points of -16˚C or -21˚C.
The temperature of these special cool packs remains around the melting point for up to 24 hours, which works well for both frozen and chilled products.
The special cool packs begin to thaw when the temperature inside the EPS box rises above the melting point. They then become soft, but still have a temperature below 0˚C. Your frozen products are also still below 0˚C and therefore frozen.
Can I reuse the EPS box and coolpacks?
Yes, in principle, the coolpacks are reusable. However, they only perform optimally if they are frozen deeply enough. We use special coolpacks with melting points of -16˚C or -21˚C.
When refreezing the coolpacks, they will only become properly hard if your freezer is cold enough. Most freezers go down to -18˚C. Coolpacks with a melting point of -21˚C will remain soft in such a freezer. Coolpacks with a melting point of -16˚C will at most become ‘slushy’. We use a freezer that can reach temperatures of -30˚C.
The EPS box is a sturdy polystyrene box with thick walls that you can effectively reuse as a cooler to keep items cold or warm.
Can I get a refund if I return the coolpacks?
This can be discussed for large quantities. Please keep them in a box and do not throw them away.
How do I dispose of the coolpacks?
The contents of a cool pack are safe for disposal and can be rinsed down the sink with running water without causing environmental harm. The bag can be placed with the regular waste.
There Is still some dry ice in my package. What should I do?
Caution! Dry ice in solid form has a temperature of -78.5 °C! Avoid skin contact to prevent frostbite.
- Protect your hands: Wear gloves when taking your products out of the box.
- Ventilate properly: Place the EPS box with the remaining dry ice in a well-ventilated area or outside. Leave it in the EPS box with the lid closed.
- Reuse the EPS box: After a few days, the dry ice will have sublimated (disappeared). You can then keep the EPS box for personal use, such as a cooler box.
