New membrane promises longer, fresher shelf-life

Waitrose is soon to follow the lead of Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Tesco. The latter two were the first UK retailer to adopt the use of a proven ethylene remover insert in their packs of fresh produce.

The technology acts like a catalytic converter in removing ethylene gas, which causes fruit to ripen. This helps to extend the shelf-life by around two days for soft fruit and berries.

The technology is based on a non-woven hydrophobic DuPont honeycomb membrane, which is sandwiched between food-grade polymers to enable gas exchange.

M&S has been using it on its berries since January 2012, while Tesco has been using it on packed tomatoes since May 2012.

The laminated ethylene remover composite materials are supplied by Birmingham-based Food Freshness Technology, which has the licence to sell the technology developed by chemicals firm Johnson Matthey over a four-year period.

Food Freshness Technology marketing director Simon Lee says delaying the ripening process helps extend shelf-life.

"It has a very small on-cost a couple of pence," says Lee.

However, the cost depends on the application. One Chilean avocado producer is using the technology in sheet format on its process lines to delay ripening.

Contact: Food Freshness Technology