Coat plants with an invisible ‘peel’? It’s a way to fight food waste, says US start-up
Image: nastya_ph/Getty Images via ETX Daily Up
“Food gone good.” Behind this slogan, American company Apeel Sciences has invented a 100% natural protection that slows down vegetable oxidation. The principle is simple: to avoid throwing away food, it is coated with a thin, invisible and odorless layer made from fruits and vegetables.
According to founder James Rogers, their 100% natural technique helps retain moisture and prevents oxidation of fruits and vegetables, thus ensuring a shelf life that is twice as long for avocados, apples and lemons. To apply this “invisible protection,” one can spray the food, brush it or immerse it in the preparation.
Using this technique, the company works with dozens of conventional organic farmers producing fruits and vegetables. The founder has said that the company works both with small independent farmers and local organic producers, as well as some of the biggest food brands in the world.
According to data from the Food & Drug Administration, food waste is estimated at between 30% and 40% of the food supply in the United States. In 2019, 35% of all food in the U.S. went unsold or thrown away. That corresponds to the equivalent of 2% of U.S. GDP ($408 billion) and a carbon footprint equivalent to 4% of total U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, points out ReFED which fights against food waste. JB
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