UK supermarket chain Somerfield and packaging company Long Life Solutions have secured funding of £170,944 from WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) to support the trial of a new plastics film for fresh produce packaging.
The new research project, led by Long Life Solutions, aims to extend the storage life of fresh produce by including natural additives in the standard film mix, allowing the produce to manage its atmosphere within the packaging. The film is said to be very strong but thinner gauge than standard material, so it could also allow a reduction in the total amount of packaging, if the project is successful.
Funding from WRAP will support trials of the new packaging, initially across four of Somerfield's fruit and vegetable products. These trials will monitor how much food waste is reduced both at home and in store.
Stephen Ridge, Somerfield's technical solutions director, says: "Through the use of the Long Life Solutions technology, the potential reduction in waste in fruit and vegetables is huge, both in store for Somerfield and for our customers."
Detailed analysis to assess the effect on the fruit and vegetables being trialled is being carried out by the Postharvest Unit at Writtle College.
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