No one wants brown bananas or moldy strawberries. A new edible coating, called Edipeel, promises to boost the shelf life of fruits and veggies. It can keep produce fresh two to five times longer than usual.
Edipeel, created by Apeel Sciences in California, is made from leaves, stems, and peels left over after produce has been picked or processed. Compounds extracted, or removed, from these leftovers are blended into a liquid and sprayed onto produce. It forms an invisible, tasteless barrier that helps keep water in and oxygen out. That helps prevent wilting, browning, and the growth of mold and bacteria on fruit and vegetables, says materials scientist James Rogers, Apeel’s founder.
The company hopes that Edipeel will dramatically reduce food waste. Currently, 45 percent of produce harvested worldwide goes bad before it even reaches the supermarket.