These Extraordinary Stickers Keep Food Fresh For Longer!
All about a simple but genius invention that prevents fresh fruit from spoiling.
The world is now producing more food than ever before to feed its growing population. However, an estimated one-third of all food produced globally is lost or goes to waste according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). But thanks to a simple sticker which promises to take a bite out of food waste, things could soon change for the better!
StixFresh, part of a food and crop protection startup, ryp LABS, develops innovative technologies to tackle global food waste. It has now come up with a way to successfully keep fruit fresh for up to 14 days longer. It reports that these stickers have been shown to be effective at keeping a long list of fruit firm, sweet and juicy over an extended period. These include apples, pears, avocados, dragon fruits, kiwis, oranges and other citrus fruit.
The magic occurs due to small stickers, the size of a 50 cent piece, that contain a special formulation. The chemical-free compounds in them then create a protective layer around the fruit, slowing down the process of ripening and spoilage, the company details on its website.
The idea arose because Zhafri Zainudin, the inventor of StixFresh, was determined to help a friend who owned a fruit stall in a community near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He needed to find a way to prevent his produce from spoiling too quickly, weforum.org details.
After much experimentation, Zainudin created an effective formula, and decided to apply it to the fruit in the form of stickers. By making the process accessible and easy, he knew those involved in the supply chain would gladly come on board.
The science behind the StixFresh formulation is extremely simple yet genius. Premature rotting processes are slowed down by using the same compounds plants naturally produce, to create their own natural defense system, the company explains. Protecting the fruit from damaging environmental conditions can keep it fresh for longer, extending its shelf life, both at the market and at home.
This simple solution will keep fruit fresh for longer - and help avoid food waste @stixfresh @WEFUpLink https://t.co/q0GId1umkC #FoodWaste #Sustainability pic.twitter.com/C5QgpraYRF
— World Economic Forum (@wef) March 26, 2021
If food waste was a country, it would be the third biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet, according to the United Nations Environment Programme's 2021 Food Waste Index report. In addition, about 14 percent of the world's food is lost before it even reaches retail outlets, concludes a report released by the FAO. This figure is even higher for fruits and vegetables specifically; reaching a staggering 22 percent.
Using these new stickers, therefore, could be beneficial not only to producers and retailers, but also for the environment and the global community.
Reducing food waste helps farmers, distributors, retailers and consumers save money. But it also contributes to protecting the environment, which at the same time, improves people's health and helps tackle the worldwide fight against hunger, Zainudin told weforum.org.
Encouragingly, this approach, is presented by the company as being extremely simple, highly effective, safe and one hundred percent natural.
As for the future, StixFresh - awarded Best Sustainability Initiative and Best Packaging Technology at the World Food Innovation Awards - plans to adapt its invention to extend the lifespan of vegetables as well.
The philosophy behind this amazing initiative can be synthesized in a quote by the renowned American chef, book author, journalist, and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain in his Wasted! The Story of Food Waste documentary. “Use everything. Waste nothing”, he suggests. Today that is possible thanks to extremely inventive minds like Zainuddin's.
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