Apeel is a plant-based, edible coating derived from the peels, seeds, pulps, and other parts of various fruits and vegetables. It's applied to fresh produce to slow down the natural processes of spoilage, primarily by reducing water loss and oxidation. This extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, maintains their freshness, and often reduces the need for plastic packaging, offering a sustainable approach to food preservation. Apeel's protective layer also helps in maintaining the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of the produce during storage and transportation. The technology offers a promising step toward reducing food waste globally.
Apeel meaning with examples
- Farmers are increasingly using apeel on their avocados, significantly extending their marketable lifespan and decreasing post-harvest losses. Consumers often appreciate this because it means avocados are less likely to be bruised and ripen on the shelf too fast, thus reducing spoilage at home as well. This innovative practice benefits both producers and consumers by increasing the availability of fresh, high-quality produce and decreasing food waste.
- Grocery stores have begun utilizing apeel on their citrus fruits to reduce waste and maintain freshness. The protective layer creates a seal which locks in moisture and prevents spoilage, letting consumers enjoy fresh fruits for an extended period of time after purchase. This eco-conscious innovation helps supermarkets maintain the quality and freshness of their products, supporting a focus on sustainability and cutting costs associated with throwing away spoiled goods.
- The application of apeel coating on mangoes allows them to endure long transport journeys, preserving their quality and flavor for extended shipping periods. This innovation is particularly useful in global supply chains, where food travels thousands of miles from farms to consumers. Consequently, with extended shelf-life, developing markets gain access to fresh produce, improving food security and reducing the economic loss that comes with produce being discarded during transport.
- Research indicates that apeel technology helps maintain the visual appeal of fruits and vegetables, leading to consumer preferences for produce that look fresher. Consumers are often more inclined to buy produce with a higher degree of visual appeal, making apeel application a worthwhile investment for both producers and retailers. This offers a pathway toward an economical approach to sustainable agriculture by preventing food waste and supporting both consumer satisfaction and ecological health.