Engineering360: "FDA-approved sticker increases fruit shelf life"

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.