Supermarket chain Tesco has started trialing a new packaging technology that extends shelf life by absorbing the hormone responsible for fruit ripening.

The chain is using the packaging for its tomatoes and avocados, after successful initial trials showed it could be used across a wide range of fruit and vegetables.

A company release says the chain's packaging includes an ethylene-absorption strip on the inside, which measures 8cm (3.1in) by 4.5cm (1.8in) and does not affect recyclability.

Tesco expects the new packaging could lead to a potential wastage saving of 1.6 million packs of tomatoes and 350,000 packs of avocados.

"The packaging is a major breakthrough in the fight to combat food waste and could save the fresh produce industry tens of millions of pounds each year," says Tesco ambient salad and avocado technologist Steve Deeble.

"But it will also mean that shoppers will be able to keep fruit and vegetables for longer without feeling pressured to eat them within days of buying them.

"We have already trialled the packaging in a storage environment and all the signs are there that this could be one of the most significant developments in packaging for many years so now we want to know what our customers think of it."

He says if the trials are successful the business could roll out the packaging by Easter.

The technology was developed by U.K.-based It's Fresh Ltd.

Photo: Ayushveda

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