The Coolest Trends And Innovations In Produce Preservation
Because fruits and vegetables are among the most commonly wasted foods, often spoiling before ... More they're eaten, improving produce preservation is a critical strategy for cutting food waste and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.
As food prices rise and environmental concerns deepen, keeping fruits and vegetables fresher for longer is becoming a global priority for consumers. Produce preservation is a powerful tool in the fight against food waste and the climate crisis, helping to reduce emissions, conserve resources, and keep fresh, nutritious food out of landfills and on our plates.
By some estimates, nearly 40% of food produced globally is never eaten. Fruits and vegetables account for the highest portion of this waste due to their perishability. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, food waste is responsible for 8–10% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. If it were a country, food waste would rank as the third-largest emitter in the world, behind only China and the United States.
Against this backdrop, food preservation has become a climate, economic, and public health imperative. A Harris Poll conducted in the U.S. found that 88% of Americans consider reducing food waste important. And according to Innova Market Insights, 39% of consumers globally now rank planetary health as their top concern.
These days, shoppers are increasingly drawn to smart packaging that keeps their food fresh for longer. According to Innova's 2023 Packaging Survey, people are most willing to spend extra on packaging that not only helps protect the planet, but also keeps food from spoiling too quickly, making it a powerful way to cut down on food waste.
At the same time, growing concerns about chemical preservatives and heavily processed foods— both for health and environmental reasons— are pushing the food industry to explore cleaner, more sustainable preservation solutions.
A growing number of startups and established companies are developing more sustainable tools that help fruits and vegetables last longer, from air purification systems to smart humidity control. Here's a look at some of the innovations making a difference.
Foods that are most ethylene-sensitive, like bananas, tend to ripen, age, or spoil more quickly when ... More exposed to ethylene gas.
Ethylene, a naturally occurring gas released by fruits like apples, avocados, bananas, and peaches, acts as a ripening agent and can accelerate spoilage of nearby vegetables. Ozone, volatile organic compounds, and microbial particles also contribute to food degradation. For this reason, indoor air quality is a key factor in produce preservation.
'Air quality directly impacts the longevity of fresh produce,' says Trent Thiel, Global Product Manager of Molecular Contamination Control at Camfil, a global manufacturer of air filtration and clean air solutions. By filtering out ethylene gas, ozone, and airborne microbes, clean air solutions can significantly extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Camfil's CamPure 8, for example, is designed to target ethylene and other oxidizing gases that accelerate ripening and spoilage. 'When you remove ethylene from the environment, you slow down the aging process of produce. That means less shrinkage, fewer losses, and better quality for longer,' Thiel explains.
The 2024 Camfil Sustainability Report points out that 99% of the air that humans breathe doesn't meet World Health Organization standards. 'Dirty air isn't just an environmental or public health issue… it's a food systems issue, too,' says Thiel.
Who knew that a sexy kitchen gadget could have the word ethylene in it?
The global ethylene absorber market is projected to grow from $12.77 billion in 2024 to over $48 billion by 2033, according to IMARC Group, reflecting increasing demand from both commercial and consumer markets.
Smaller-scale ethylene absorbers are starting to make their mark in home kitchens. The Bluapple Produce Saver, for instance, is a glossy, refillable, non-toxic blue sphere that quietly soaks up ethylene gas in your fridge, fruit bowl, or pantry. The company claims it can keep produce fresh two to three times longer, helping consumers reduce food waste without lifting a finger.
The Bluapple Produce Saver soaks up ethylene gas in your fridge, fruit bowl, or pantry.
Even major appliance brands are getting in on the action. Refrigerators like the Bosch B36CL80SNS and Frigidaire Gallery GRSC2352AF now come with built-in ethylene filters because the air around your produce matters just as much as the produce itself.
Vacuum packaging is effective for produce preservation because it removes oxygen, slowing down the ... More growth of spoilage-causing microbes and oxidation that leads to wilting and decay.
When it comes to food spoilage, oxygen is the silent saboteur. It triggers oxidation, dulls color and flavor, and fuels the growth of mold and bacteria.
Vacuum sealing offers a precise way to manage that risk. Devices like the FoodSaver vacuum sealer use automatic technology to remove air from custom-designed bags, locking in freshness with a tight, sensor-driven seal. The result? Food that stays fresh up to five times longer, with a serious reduction in freezer burn, spoilage, and waste.
As these devices become more affordable and user-friendly— with features like automatic sealing and adjustable vacuum levels— vacuum sealing is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments in food tech. According to Arizton Advisory & Intelligence, the U.S. vacuum sealer market was valued at $2.91 billion in 2023 and is on track to grow to $3.45 billion by 2029.
Another standout innovation that provides an oxygen barrier without the use of plastic is Apeel— a plant-based, edible coating made from compounds found in the peels, seeds, and pulp of fruits and vegetables. By reinforcing the natural barrier that slows down oxidation and moisture loss, Apeel helps extend shelf life without the need for plastic packaging. According to Apeel Sciences, one truckload of cucumbers treated with Apeel and shipped without plastic wrap can eliminate the equivalent of roughly 100,000 plastic straws.
Humid conditions in a fridge can cause produce to rot, especially if there's too much moisture and ... More poor airflow.
When it comes to keeping produce crisp and vibrant, humidity is just as important as temperature. Leafy greens and herbs need a humid environment to stay perky, while ethylene-producing fruits, like apples and avocados, fare better in drier conditions. But it's a balancing act: too much moisture invites mold, too little and you're left with limp, shriveled leftovers.
Bluapple's VeggieZips help to manage this delicate balance. The reusable produce bags come with adjustable vents and a HydroLiner insert, a cloth-like layer that can either add or absorb moisture depending on the needs of the item being stored. The bags are washable and designed for long-term use.
Refrigerators are also getting smarter. Models like GE's Profile PVD28BYNFS now offer dual humidity zones and fine-tuned airflow systems with adjustable drawers for precise humidity regulation. Experts say the ideal fridge temperature lands between 32°F and 38°F— cool enough to extend shelf life, but gentle enough to protect delicate produce from frostbite.
FreshPaper's plant-based botanicals inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi that cause produce to ... More spoil.
Bacteria and fungi are among the most common culprits in food decay, entering through bruises or openings and breaking down cell walls. They thrive in warm, damp environments, making refrigeration and air purification essential.
Air filtration and sanitation technologies are key to microbial defense. 'High MERV-A rated filters such as MERV 14A or MERV16A, HEPA/ULPA filters and UV-C systems can trap or neutralize these spoilage organisms before they come into contact with food,' explains Thiel.
One option for home kitchens is FreshPaper by The Freshglow Co.— biodegradable sheets infused with natural botanical extracts that help slow down spoilage. Simply placing a sheet in a produce drawer or container can extend freshness two to four times, according to the company. With nods from Oprah Magazine and Food & Wine, FreshPaper has earned a following for turning a simple idea into an effective tool against food waste.
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 aims to halve global food waste by 2030. Getting there will require a combination of awareness, innovation, and clean air strategies that extend the life of what we eat, before it ends up in the bin.
While technology is playing a growing role, small behavioral changes at home remain important in produce preservation. Storing ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas away from sensitive vegetables, using paper towels to absorb moisture, and avoiding overcrowding in the fridge can all help extend shelf life.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
31 minutes ago
- Forbes
Tesla Misses Robotaxi Launch Date, Goes With Safety Drivers
A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes in Austin, Texas, US, on Friday, June 20, ... More 2025.. Photographer: Eli Hartman/Bloomberg Tesla's much-anticipated June 22 'no one in the vehicle' Robotaxi launch in Austin is not ready. Instead, Tesla has announced to its invite-only passengers that it will operate a limited service with Tesla employees on board the vehicle to maintain safety. Tesla will use an approach that was used in 2019 by Russian robotaxi company Yandex, putting the safety driver in the passengers seat rather than the driver's seat. (Yandex's robotaxi was divested from Russian and now is called AVRide.) Having an employee on board, commonly called a safety driver, is the approach that every robocar company has used for testing, including testing of passenger operations. Most companies spend many years (Waymo spent a decade) testing with safety drivers, and once they are ready to take passengers, there are typically some number of years testing in that mode, though the path to removing the safety driver depends primarily on evaluation of the safety case for the vehicle, and less on the presence of passengers. Tesla has put on some other restrictions--rides will be limited to 6am to midnight (the opposite of Cruise's first operations, which were only at night) and riders come from an invite-only list (as was also the case for Waymo, and Cruise and others in their early days.) Rides will be limited to a restricted service area (often mistakenly called a 'geofence') which avoids complex and difficult streets and intersections. Rides will be unavailable in inclement weather, which also can happen with other vehicles, though fairly rarely today. Tesla FSD is known to disable itself if rain obscures some of its cameras--only the front cameras have a rain wiper. The fleet will be small. Waymo started testing with safety drivers in 2009, gave rides to passengers with safety drivers in 2017, and without safety drivers in 2020 in the Phoenix area. Cruise had a much shorter period with passengers and safety drivers. Motional has given rides for years but has never removed the safety driver. Most Chinese companies spent a few years doing it. Giving passengers rides requires good confidence in the safety of the system+safety driver combination, but taking the passengers does not alter how well the vehicle drives, except perhaps around pick-up and drop-off. (While a vehicle is more at liberty to make hard stops with no passengers on board, I am aware of no vehicle which takes advantage of this.) As such we have no information on whether Tesla will need their safety drivers for a month or a several years, or even forever with current hardware. Passenger's Seat vs. Driver's Seat Almost all vehicles use a safety driver behind the wheel. Tesla's will be in the passenger seat, in a situation similar to that used by driving instructors for student human drivers. While unconfirmed by Tesla, the employee in the passenger seat can grab the wheel and steer. Because stock Teslas have fully computer controlled brake and acceleration, they might equip the driver with electronic pedals. Some reports have suggested they have a hand controller or other ways to command the vehicle to brake. There is no value to putting the safety driver on the passengers side. It is no safer than being behind the wheel, and believed by most to be less safe because of the unusual geometr20 November 2024, Berlin: A prototype of the Tesla Cybercab stands in a showroom in the Mall of Berlin. Photo: Hannes P. Albert/dpa (Photo by Hannes P Albert/picture alliance via Getty Images)y. It's hard to come up with any reason other than just how it looks. Tesla can state the vehicles have 'nobody in the driver's seat' in order to attempt to impress the public. The driving school system works, so it's not overtly dangerous, but in that case there's an obvious reason for it that's not optics. Tesla Cybercab concept. With only 2 seats and no controls, not very suitable for a safety driver. ... More These are not being used in Tesla's Austin pilot. That said, most robocar prototypes, including Tesla supervised FSD, are reasonably safe with capable safety drivers. A negligent and poorly managed safety driver in an Uber ATG test vehicle killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona when the safety driver completely ignored her job, but otherwise these systems have a good record. The combination of Tesla Autopilot and a supervising driver has a reasonable record. (The record is not nearly as good as some people think Tesla claims. Every quarter, Tesla publishes a deeply misleading report comparing the combination of Tesla Autopilot plus supervisor to the general crash rate, but they report airbag deployments for the Teslas mostly on freeways and compare it without general crash numbers on all roads for general drivers. This makes it seem Autopilot is many times safer than regular drivers when it's actually similar, a serious and deceitful misrepresentation.) As noted, Yandex, now AVRide, has used safety drivers in the passenger seat, and has done so in Austin--also speculated to be mostly for optics, though there are some legal jurisdictions where companies shave made this move because the law requires safety drivers and they hope to convey an aura of not needing them. This has also been the case in China.) When Cruise did their first 'driverless' demo ride in San Francisco, they had an employee in the passengers seat. So Tesla has been ready to run with safety drivers for years. What's tested here isn't the safety of the cars, but all the complexity of handling passengers, including the surprising problems of good PuDo (Pick-up/Drop-off.) Whether Teslas can operate a safe robotaxi with nobody onboard, particularly with their much more limited sensor hardware, remains to be seen. Other Paths To Launch Tesla apparently experimented with different paths to getting out on the road before they are ready to run unsupervised. In particular, vehicles were seen with the passenger seat safety driver, and also being followed by a 'chase car' with two on board. Reports also came of Tesla planning for 'lots of tele-ops' including not just remote assistance (as all services do) but remote supervision including remote driving. We may speculate that Tesla evaluated many different approaches: Because Elon Musk promised 'nobody in the car' and 'unsupervised' in the most recent Tesla earnings call, there was great pressure to produce #1, but the Tesla team must have concluded they could not do that yet, and made the right choice, though #3 is a better choice than #4. They also did not feel up to #2, which is commonly speculated to be what other companies have done on their first launch, later graduating to #1 #5 just looks goofy, I think the optics would not work, and it's also challenging. Remote driving is real and doable--in spite of the latency and connectivity issues of modern data networks--but perhap Tesla could not get it ready in time. All teams use remote assistance operators who do not drive the cars, but can give them advice when they get confused by a situation, and stop and ask for advice. Even Waymo recently added a minor remote driving ability for low-speed 'get the car out off the road' sort of operations. I have recommended this for some time. It is worth noting the contrast beween Cruise's 'night only' launch and Tesla's mostly-daytime one. Cruise selected the night because there is less traffic and complexity. LIDARs see very well at night. Tesla's camera-based system has very different constraints at night and many fear it's inferior then. On the other hand Tesla will operate in some night hours and with more cars and pedestrians on the street. The question for Tesla will be whether the use of safety drivers is a very temporary thing, done just because they weren't quite ready but needed to meet the announced date, or a multi-year program as it has been for most teams. Tesla is famous for not meeting the forecast ship dates for its FSD system, so it's not shocking that this pattern continues. The bigger question is whether they can do it at all. Tesla FSD 13, the version available to Tesla owners, isn't even remotely close to robotaxi ready. If Tesla has made a version which is closer, through extra work, training and severe limitations of the problem space, it's still a big accomplishment. This will be seen in the coming months. Two robocar teams had severe interactions with pedestrians. Both those teams, and one pedestrian, are dead. Tesla knows they must not make mistakes.
Bloomberg
36 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Novo Nordisk's CagriSema Shot Tied to Greater Weight Loss at Lower Doses
Novo Nordisk A/S's next-generation obesity shot CagriSema helped patients lose weight in large studies despite only about three-quarters of the patients ever making it to the highest dose. Surprisingly, patients who chose to stick with a lower dose lost more weight on average. The studies allowed patients to stop at lower doses of the drug, an unusual option in a trial. Researchers presenting new data Sunday at the American Diabetes Association meeting in Chicago say the findings offer clues as to how the drug would be used in real life. There's a group of people who respond very well to this medicine, said Timothy Garvey, director of the Diabetes Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who helped lead the trials.
Entrepreneur
43 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
Using AI in Customer Service? Don't Make These 4 Mistakes
AI is revolutionizing customer service in 2025, offering speed, personalization and efficiency. But to avoid frustrating users, businesses must ensure the following things. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. AI is omnipresent in 2025 in all areas of the business sphere, including customer service. And for good reason. Used right, AI can provide invaluable insights into your customers' behaviors and preferences, boost the efficiency of your customer service team and increase overall satisfaction. Between dynamic personalization, streamlined purchase processes and predictive customer support, many small businesses are leveraging AI to level the playing field and provide enterprise-grade customer service. However, despite AI's massive potential, there are several potential pitfalls when using AI in customer service. At worst, AI can scare off customers or generate frustration, rather than helping to streamline processes. Here are the four most common mistakes — and how to avoid them. Related: How Small Businesses Can Leverage AI Without Breaking the Bank 1. Frustrating generic chatbots To start with, chatbots can be a great asset to your team members and customers alike. They can speedily handle routine queries, free up your agents' capacities, respond to customers even outside regular business hours and reduce wait times. However, to be effective, chatbots need to be well-trained and personalized. Unfortunately, many companies — in a rush to stay ahead in the AI race — deployed chatbots that ask too many questions, give generic answers and fail to solve queries. In one hilarious example, NYC's MyCity chatbot kept giving wrong answers even six months post-deployment and after $600,000 in investments, misinforming users about legal requirements for business owners and even basic facts such as the minimum wage. Overall, 80% of people reported that interactions with chatbots have increased their frustration rather than leading to quicker solutions to the issues they were facing. To avoid this, it's crucial that chatbots are trained well on company-internal data. Ideally, they should be able to leverage customer-specific data across a number of different channels in order to provide personalized, efficient support to every person who reaches out. 2. Unaccessible siloed data On that note, another common pitfall to avoid when implementing AI in customer service is data siloing. One of AI's greatest strengths is its capacity to process huge amounts of data and unearth patterns and trends, condensed into actionable insights. These insights can then be leveraged for personalization and targeted strategy adjustments. However, that's only possible if AI actually has access to all the necessary data elements — and that is a challenge many small businesses are currently facing. In fact, a recent study by Nextiva, a market leader in customer experience software solutions, found that among company leadership, data siloing was identified as one of the most common barriers to AI implementation. In the study, 39% of respondents agreed that they "struggled with accessibility, aggregation, integration and structure of real-time and historical data." To avoid this limitation, it's essential to audit data storage and integration as soon as you start planning your AI implementation strategy. Making sure from the start that the systems you are considering integrate well — or that bridge solutions are at least available — will avoid unnecessary siloing and frustration down the line. Related: AI Can Give You New Insights About Your Customers for Cheap. Here's How to Make It Work for You. 3. Going overboard on hyper-personalization and automation On the other end of the spectrum are businesses that go overboard in their enthusiasm for AI, to a degree that can appear off-putting to many customers. This includes hyper-personalization and automation processes. While personalization is a key advantage of AI and can boost the efficiency of customer service agents and the satisfaction of the people they interact with, you don't want to appear omniscient either. Having the impression that a company knows everything about them before they even talk to you is seen as acutely creepy by many customers. Salesbots, in particular, often trigger the uncanny valley effect, or scare off potential customers by leveraging information they don't feel they ought to have access to. To steer clear of this particular pitfall, it's essential to carefully calibrate the level of personalisation you implement and weigh its potential benefits in boosting conversions against customers' perception of intrusiveness. 4. Forgetting human escalation options Finally, a widespread mistake small businesses make in leveraging AI for customer service is to neglect human escalation options, especially in customer support. No matter what your AI can do, it's always necessary to offer customers the option to talk to a human agent instead. There is nothing more frustrating for a customer facing an urgent problem than being stuck in an ineffective conversation loop with a chatbot or a virtual phone agent when an actual person would clearly help them reach a solution far more efficiently. Outside business hours, when AI is the only one holding down the fort, it's often enough to offer customers the option to leave a message and assure them you will contact them as soon as possible. Other than that, though, you need to give people the option of a human lifeline to help put out an urgent fire. Related: Does AI Deserve All the Hype? Here's How You Can Actually Use AI in Your Business Conclusion In 2025, AI is an incredible asset that small businesses can leverage to elevate their customer service. It is, however, not a panacea. To effectively harness the potential of AI and avoid common pitfalls, it's necessary to carefully plan and train the systems you're deploying, exercise discretion with respect to personalization and implement a human failsafe option. By sticking to these tenets, though, you'll be able to make the most of the opportunities AI has to offer for small businesses in customer service and increase your overall customer satisfaction.
