Asda trials new fruit and veg coating that prolongs shelf life and reduces wastage.

Hi everyone,

I have been listening to this on the radio and think its very interesting because it is innovative as they have developed a plant based coating for fruit and veg that will remove the need so much plastic packaging and is healthy.

The need for this has come about because they use a chemical CIPC Chlorpropham to coat potatoes onions lettuce salad fruits etc which has just been banned in the EU because it is (only) slightly toxic but this toxicity is accumulative.

This looks like it's most successful replacement so here's a link to the article in the Independent about it and Asda's role followed by an article explaining the process and why they developed it.

Please see:

independent.co.uk/life-styl...

This is how the new coating came about:

apeelsciences.com

CIPC affects our haemoglobin and some vital organs and kills bees...so I'll stick to organic spuds me...😊

[Hidden]

Hi Jerry

I've just read the article and I think this is excellent and that it's natural as well. I'm like you as I buy organic potatoes.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Alicia

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Alicia, I don't think that it's in anyones best interests to use toxic substances on food to make them stay fresher for longer but what do I know LOL.

I also find it strange when these chemicals in the food chain are described as only slightly toxic, as that is so reassuring...🤢

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Definitely not Jerry and I abhorrent that the big wigs can get away with it, we need much stricter rules and regulations when it comes to anything to do with food, cleaning substances, environment etc. Yes what do we know, a fair bit I think.

Oh yes, slightly toxic, well surely that's okay then - hmmmmmmm!

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Yes, organic is a very good idea. No one needs plastic-anything in their food. Why did the food companies think this is good?

[Hidden in reply to Activity2004]

I know Leah at least they are changing their ways at long last so organic is best I think. 😊

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Yes, a good portion of what I eat these days are organic.

[Zest]

Hi Hidden

Thanks for sharing this information.

Zest

[Hidden in reply to Zest]

Thank you Zest it's innovating in a eco friendly way and I like that. 😊

[Hidden]

You're right and it's because they realised that its effects are accumulative that its been banned in the EU and they've until October 2020 to sell their stocks, the worry for potato farmers is they store them in cool sheds on wooden shelves and these will have CIPC soaked in it so lots of potato farmers are worried about this contamination.

Whats really interesting is organic storing method of covering carrots with polythene with a thick layer of straw on top which keeps the carrots at the perfect storage temperature and they stay stored in the ground all winter.

Organic apples and potatoes are cool stored in breathable crates so its a skill but it's not rocket science.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

This sounds right to me and a great idea, Hidden for going shopping local/small shops/stores. With small/local shops, you know it'll be fresher than the larger stores.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

How far are you from where you can get the fresh produce?

[Hidden]

I think a small holder with limited seasonal choice is still a great option so well worth supporting.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

That's great! What do they usually have when you go? Does it change week to week or do they keep having the same items from the Farmers? Out by me, the Farmers I know bring some items from the farms each week, but they don't change what they bring.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Wow! That's great. The farmers I know drive the items up from their farms and set up their tables for others to come and get what they were expecting for that day. Everything each farmer brings is grown/cooked by them. Sorry for any confusion!

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Thank you!

[kitchengardener2]

My worry would be, does this coating prove anymore of a health then all the plastic. I personally try to buy my fruit and veg from markets and local shops but not always easy.

[Hidden in reply to kitchengardener2]

I don't know but it beats toxic chemicals and it means fruit and veg won't need so much plastic packaging so I'm interested in how this pans out.

[Subtle_badger]

I don't think "plant based" means anything. Not containing any animal products or petrochemicals - if it does indeed mean that - does not make it necessarily safe. I don't think plant-based means anything in law. I am certain they could use hexane as part of the production process (as they do with rapeseed and most seed oils) and still call it plant based. It is very possible to make something harmful out of harmless ingredients.

This means in Asda even the produce section will be selling only foods with an ultra-processed component. I don't think this is good news.

Two ways to extend the life of potatoes: don't wash them, keep them in paper or wicker and leave them in a dark, cool space; or wash them, spray them with unknowable** goop and pack them in plastic bags.

Why am I unsurprised which way we have gone?

**ah, not unknowable. They have filed patents cbinsights.com/company/apee...

[Hidden in reply to Subtle_badger]

Hi Subtle_badger I'm open minded about this as I don't like pesticides that are chemicals and bad for the environment. Tobacco is a plant so thats a very valid point.

So I'm interested in this as it will be interesting how successful this trial is and if it saves plastic and crops being sprayed in toxic chemicals that's OK with me.

[Subtle_badger in reply to Hidden]

It's not just tobacco. You can take perfectly safe natural things and via high heat or pressure or chemicals change them completely. A simple example would be corn - pretty good food, but HFCS, not so much. Ditto sunflower seeds vs margarine.

I would not be happy to find all the veggies at asda were sprayed with margarine and corn syrup, and I am sure labs could come up with much worse.

[Hidden in reply to Subtle_badger]

Hey we will have to wait and see how Asda get on with this.