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A breakthrough food coating helps fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer.
The European Commission has recently given the green light to the new food coating dubbed as Apeel. This coating will be used on certain produce such as avocados, lemons, artichokes, and asparagus.
Developed by US-based company Apeel Sciences, the edible food coating is made of materials naturally found in seeds, peels, and pulp. When applied to fruits and vegetables, Apeel creates an oxygen barrier, which delays the decomposition of the produce. In a test, bananas coated with Apeel remained fresh and yellow even after 10 days, while untreated ones turned brown and moldy.
Because of its ability to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, Apeel is expected to help solve the growing problem of food waste across the world. Statistics show that 33% of food produced around the world ends up in landfills. Consumers and retailers usually throw out food items that are no longer fresh or nearing the expiration dates.
Apart from reducing food waste, Apeel can also reduce plastic waste. Retailers can now sell fresh produce without the need for plastic packaging. The CEO of Apeel Sciences said that the food coating is particularly useful in the United Kingdom, where plastic waste has become a growing concern.
Apeel-coated avocados are currently sold in some US supermarkets like Kroger, Harps, and Costco. Apeel Sciences has also partnered with European produce supplier Nature’s Pride to distribute treated fruits and vegetables in UK supermarkets in the latter part of the year.
Other countries, including Japan, Mexico, and Peru, have also approved the use of the new food coating.