Hazel Technologies Inc., a USDA-funded technology company delivering new solutions for the fresh produce industry to extend shelf-life, increase sales, and fight food waste and Pharr, TX-based London Fruit, a shipper of limes, mango, and other tropicals have announced a new partnership in the lime category.
The partnership focuses on the use of a new technology, Hazel™ for Lime, on fresh limes marketed by London Fruit. Hazel™ for Lime is a small, biodegradable packaging insert, placed in the box during the packing process following harvest, which helps maintain the full green color of the lime during the shipping and retail merchandising process by limiting the effects of ethylene. According to UC-Davis, “ethylene causes limes to lose their green color and unmask their yellow pigments.”
One consistent challenge with shipping fresh limes in the supply chain is their extremely high level of perishability. Limes often lose their vibrant green color faster when stored with high ethylene producing fresh produce items like mango and other tropicals. Yellowing limes are perceived by consumers to be less fresh and therefore have a lower value. If lime yellowing is severe enough, the fruit may never be sold, which contributes to food waste and lost sales.
Food safety and quality is of the utmost importance to London Fruit. Their dedicated production team examines and regrades each case of limes that enters the facility. “Being that London Fruit is one of the very few operations with such a thorough lime process, we found that Hazel Tech™ is a cost-efficient way of maintaining quality during transport and gives our customers much needed time,” said Jerry Garcia, Vice President.
Right: Jerry Garcia.
Following the implementation of Hazel™ for Lime in their supply chain, London Fruit observed improved color retention for a period of 14 days in Persian lime produced in Mexico. “Today’s consumers care deeply about sustainability and environmental footprint, but also demand the freshest, greenest limes possible,” said Amanda Horney, Business Development Manager, London Fruit. “Using Hazel™ for Lime allows us to sustainably provide the best quality limes to our valued consumers and continue the tradition of innovation we have embraced since the founding of London Fruit in 1981.”
“Following our successful launch in limes, Hazel Technologies’ is now active in over 15 different fresh produce categories,” said Aidan Mouat, CEO, Hazel Technologies, “We are excited to continue our innovation progress with our valued partners at London Fruit, a leading innovator in the lime category for nearly four decades.”
Right: Aidan Mouat.
For more information:
Jaime Kedrowski
Hazel Technologies
Tel: +1 (559) 321-2146
Email: jaime@hazeltechnologiesinc.com
www.hazeltechnologies.com
Amanda Horney
London Fruit
Tel: +1 (956) 960-6248
Email: amanda@londonfruit.com
www.londonfruit.com