Plant-based Apeel coating for preserving limes coming to Europe

Robinson Fresh has teamed up with Apeel to introduce Mexican limes to Europe with a plant-based coating that can extend shelf life in a sustainable way. A statement from Apeel said that its plant-based coating keeps moisture in and oxygen out, and can be applied to a variety of fruits and vegetables. In trials, compared to traditional waxed limes, Apeel’s solution brought on 33% more bright green limes and 91% fewer shrivelled limes over the approximate time a lime would last in a consumer’s kitchen. Data over the last couple of years in the US shows that Apeel-protected limes maintain freshness and green colour for around 14 days more than untreated limes, which helps prevent waste and avoid environmental impacts.

The European expansion of longer-lasting limes is a continuation of a successful partnership with Robinson Fresh, which has distributed Apeel-protected limes to retailers throughout the US since 2020. In 2021, Robinson Fresh and Apeel prevented an estimated 1.5 million limes from going to waste at retail, avoiding 110 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and conserving 19 million gallons of water.

Erich Klawuhn, SVP Product at Apeel, said: “From consumer research, we know that European shoppers look for greener and firmer limes at the point of purchase. With longer-lasting limes retailers can give consumers what they are looking for, and can confidently build bright, abundant displays while reducing waste. Additionally, consumers can buy more with confidence that the limes they purchase are fresh and will last longer.”