Apeel Sciences has developed a natural, edible solution, Edipeel, to extend the shelf-life of produce. For some produce varieties, the application extends shelf-life by five times. “Our goal is to create a more sustainable food system that lasts longer and doesn’t go to waste,” says James Rogers, CEO of Apeel Sciences. Unused plant materials are used as a base for the solution. “We are using food to preserve food,” he added.
Conventional as well as organic
The invisible application was first launched for citrus products and right now, the company is finalizing contracts with avocado suppliers. “The joke about avocados is: not now, not now….too late,” mentioned Rogers. “It’s a costly item and we are trying to deliver heartier, healthier avocados.” The formulation will keep ripe avocados ripe for twice as long. “It doubles the soft time of the product.” The avocado application has been approved by the FDA and is allowed to be used on conventional as well as organic product. Formulation varies by region
“We are working with avocado suppliers at the global level and started with a pilot customer in each important avocado growing region. Right now, we are running pilots in the US, Mexico, Peru and Chile and have received regulatory approvals from all four countries,” Rogers commented. Avocados are different in each region and therefore, the formulation is dialed in for each of these geographic areas.
Apeel Sciences will be rolling out the avocado formulation this quarter. Avocado suppliers that are interested in this technology, can contact James Rogers for a meeting at PMA Fresh Summit. “There are still opportunities available to sign up for the program and we will make decisions soon after PMA.” Apeel Sciences just moved into a 105,000 sq. ft. building that is ten times larger than its previous location. “In theory, we are able to manufacture enough Edipeel to treat the world’s supply of avocados, but in addition to avocados, we will also be putting our efforts in extending the shelf-life of other produce varieties.”
Contact:
James Rogers
Apeel Sciences