Bio-Fresh is an agent that extends the shelf life of fruit and vegetables. Thanks to a newly developed production process, the results have been improved by circa 25%.
Bio-Fresh has been available for a while, and turns out to be a welcome addition in extending the shelf life of apples and pears. Jan Vernooij, director of Jover, has worked with Bio-Fresh a lot, and has recently focused on deploying the improved technique. “The product and method of treatment has been improved further, making the coverage of the fruit more thorough. With Bio-Fresh, the fruit is coated in an invisible film, inhibiting breathing and doubling shelf life,” he says. “Pears remain green and firm longer, making for a better and fresh presentation in the stores and at home with the consumer. It also has major advantages in the export to overseas destinations.” Jan explains that, moreover, Bio-Fresh can delay problems with spots on the skin in Elstar apples.
Two types of machines
Jan is the distributor of Bio-Fresh in the Netherlands, and cooperates closely with Gaston Derwael of Bel’Export, the distributor for the Belgian market. Bio-Fresh is applied by means of a machine. Together with Bel’Export, two different machines were developed. “The machines can easily be integrated into the current sorting lines. One type is placed before the sorting machines, in order that all the fruit can be treated with Bio-Fresh, while the other type is placed in front of the conveyor belt, so the fruit to be treated can be selected,” he says.