Global food waste, estimated at over $1 trillion annually, continues to present significant challenges for fresh produce suppliers, especially in managing spoilage and maintaining profitability. Active packaging technologies are emerging as a potential solution. One such development, the Vidre+ Complex, has been showing results in supply chain trials aimed at extending the freshness of perishable items like spinach and raspberries.
Developed by Fresh Inset, Vidre+ is a packaging-integrated solution designed to help delay produce deterioration. In independent trials, the technology reportedly extended spinach shelf life by up to 10 days and reduced shrinkage in raspberries. The solution is incorporated into common packaging materials, such as cardboard boxes or clamshells, and is compatible with existing logistics systems.
According to Krzysztof Czaplicki, Chief Scientific Officer at Fresh Inset, the technology works by addressing the effects of ethylene, a naturally occurring plant hormone responsible for ripening and spoilage. Vidre+ uses a slow-release form of 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene), which interferes with ethylene reception in fruits and vegetables, thereby delaying quality loss during postharvest handling.
Vidre+ Complex has been registered in Peru and introduced into the U.S. market. In Europe, it is being commercialized through a partnership with Janssen PMP.
As fresh produce remains a core segment of the global food system, technologies aimed at improving shelf life and reducing waste are attracting attention across the supply chain. Active packaging, including ethylene-management tools like Vidre+, may contribute to improved sustainability and economic efficiency in perishable goods logistics.
For more information:
Fresh Inset
Tel: +1 973 462 7008
Email: [email protected]
www.freshinset.com