FDA-approved sticker increases fruit shelf life
Shawn Martin | January 17, 2019
Source: StixfreshIn February, a crowdfunding campaign is set to launch for a novel product claimed to extend the shelf life of fresh fruit by up to 14 days.
Stixfresh is nothing more than a sticker, but the sticker itself acts as a delivery device. The sticker, in part, is comprised of ionized sodium chloride and beeswax. In accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Stixfresh carries a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status. It contains all natural ingredients and is claimed to extend the shelf life of fresh fruit without the use of chemicals or synthetic ingredients.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that 31% of the U.S. food supply in 2010 was either lost or wasted either at the retail or consumer level. This equated to the loss or waste of 133 billion pounds of perishable food items and was valued at nearly $162 billion.
Stixfresh can act to displace the amount of perishable food that is wasted in the United States. It was featured on Food&Drink Technology and coined a “magical” sticker. The active ingredients remove ethylene, a ripening hormone, that is responsible for the softening, change in texture and change in color associated with spoiling fruit.
Not all fruit produces ethylene, however, apples, pears, avocados, dragon fruit, mangos, kiwi and citrus fruit all do and can benefit from Stixfresh. Consumers interested in Stixfresh can register with the company to receive updates, participate in the crowdfunding campaign and be among the first to experience the capabilities of Stixfresh.
Although a novel idea, this product may, repeat may, extend the working life of fresh fruit. Several reasons exist for why fruit is wasted ; harvest, transport, packaging, distribution, end user usage.
At one time, fresh fruit was considered a luxury, as most fruit was dried, canned or bottled. That fruit or the occurrence where fresh fruit was available, was often consumed rather quickly. As fresh fruit gained in popularity and availability, the need or desire of consumption began to fade, up onto today where fresh fruit is commonplace and is no longer the prized possession it once was.
This product ( sticker ) in the short term will initially have a following, that is until the populace becomes used to and complacent with the longer shelf life.
One of the difficulties here is that fruit will last longer and that in itself will be detrimental to certain economies. The whole gauntlet of production will be disrupted as a product which would otherwise have a short life will now be artificially extended and will result in a glut in a worldwide commodity presence.
The other and time tested approach would be to encourage canning and bottling of fruit and fruit products. The main selling point is that fresh fruit, harvested and quickly packaged retains its quality and nutritional value longer and is much more shelf stable. In fact, packaged fruits have been shown to have a shelf life between 7-10 years and dried fruits up to 25 years.
A better approach may be to return to the days of yore where fresh fruit was a costly, yet highly appreciated part of the family dinner table.
I agree! Not all change is progress.