AN INVIS IBLE, EDIBLE FILM FO R REDUCING FO O D WAS T E
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edible biopolymer coating | Photo source stmed.net Innovation > Sustainability > An invisible, edible film for reducing food waste AN INVISIBLE, EDIBLE FILM FOR REDUCING FOOD WASTE SUSTAINABILITY Cambridge Crops uses an edible, natural silk spray to create a barrier that extends foods' shelf life and freshness Spotted: US-based startup Cambridge Crops has developed an invisible, edible film to preserve the shelf life of food. The company says the tasteless film could radically decrease food waste. The film is thinner than a piece of human hair and is created by spraying a water-based solution made with silk molecules on f ood. It is not like the shiny sheen added to apples today, according to the company’s CEO Adam Behrens. The Cambridge Crops film is a natural substance that can double the shelf life of apples. It also works with other perishables, including flowers. The film creates a barrier that slows down microbial growth. Food producers can spray it on products during the production and processing operations after they’re harvested. It has already been tested on everything from lettuce to meat, with good results, according to the company. Cambridge Crops is currently piloting its film with producers. It received $1.3 million in pre-seed financing from MIT Engine, with participation from Closed Loop Ventures and Fink Family Foundation, and hopes to have FDA approval by 2020. 14th May 2019 Website: www.cambridge-crops.com Contact: www.cambridge-crops.com/contact
Transcript of AN INVIS IBLE, EDIBLE FILM FO R REDUCING FO O D WAS T E
edible biopolymer coating | Photo source stmed.net
Innovation > Sustainability > An invis ible, edible film for reducing food waste
AN INVISIBLE, EDIBLE FILM FOR REDUCING FOOD WASTESUSTAINABILITY
Cambridge Crops uses an edible, natural silk spray to create a barrier thatextends foods' shelf life and freshness
Spotted: US-based startup Cambridge Crops has developed an invisible, edible film to preservethe shelf life of food. The company says the tasteless film could radically decrease food waste.
The film is thinner than a piece of human hair and is created by spraying a water-based solutionmade with silk molecules on food. It is not like the shiny sheen added to apples today, according tothe company’s CEO Adam Behrens. The Cambridge Crops film is a natural substance that candouble the shelf life of apples. It also works with other perishables, including flowers.
The film creates a barrier that slows down microbial growth. Food producers can spray it onproducts during the production and processing operations after they’re harvested. It has alreadybeen tested on everything from lettuce to meat, with good results, according to the company.
Cambridge Crops is currently piloting its film with producers. It received $1.3 million in pre-seedfinancing from MIT Engine, with participation from Closed Loop Ventures and Fink Family Foundation,and hopes to have FDA approval by 2020.
14th May 2019Website: www.cambridge-crops.comContact: www.cambridge-crops.com/contact
Takeaway:The founders of Cambridge Crops call the startup an “anti-waste company.” They aim to makehealthy food more accessible by making it last longer. Food waste is a global problem. The FAOestimates that one-third of all food produced world-wide is wasted. Increasing the shelf-life offood could help us decrease the volume of food we throw away. The potential of edible film ispromising given the support it has already received from investors. Springwise has spottedseveral recent innovations aimed at reducing food waste, including supermarkets in Thailandthat are wrapping food in banana leaves instead of plastic.
