Business
Study Reveals Significant Produce Shelf-life Variability Among Leading Grocery Stores
Study Reveals Significant Produce Shelf-life Variability Among Leading Grocery Stores.
About this update from Riskon International, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nSAN JOSE, Calif., June 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zest Labs™, an AgTech company modernizing the post-harvest fresh food supply chain, today released the results of new research study measuring and comparing the shelf-life (or freshness) of produce being sold at major grocery chain stores across the United States. The research found that the freshness of produce – specifically strawberries, romaine lettuce and packaged salad mixes – varied significantly from store to store as well as within each individual store. This shelf life variability causes early spoilage, which can disappoint consumers and result in costly retail waste. Zest Labs is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ecoark Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: ZEST).\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Roughly Half of the Produce Sampled Did Not Meet Shelf-life Requirements\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n There was Significant Shelf-life Variability Across Stores and Within Stores\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n The study, performed from February to May of 2019, was based on random samples of strawberry clamshells, hearts of romaine lettuce and packaged salad mixes purchased throughout the research period from eight major U.S. grocery store chains. “Zest Labs’ methodology for determining shelf-life is based on years of university research on the effect of environmental conditions on the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Dr. Cecilia Nunes, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology. “Major universities including University of Florida and University of South Florida have confirmed that this approach is scientifically validated and accurate.” Consumers often have a disappointing experience when purchasing produce that looks good on the store shelf only to have it “go bad” shortly after purchase. This problem occurs because, due to harvest conditions and variabilities in processing and handling, produce spoils prematurely – before the written expiration date. This leads to consumer dissatisfaction and can lead to changed purchasing behavior, wherein consumers choose a new primary grocery store in search of fresher produce. Key findings from the research included: Roughly half of the sample produce (49 percent of romaine h...