Laser Food, a company based in Alzira, Spain, will be benefitting from a recent ruling in the United Kingdom very soon. The ruling states that a ban on coating fruit in certain chemicals is now null and void. Essentially, this will involve the decline of the common stickers used on fruits and vegetables in favor of laser-etching. On paper, it is a sensible move considering the cost that goes into the ink, adhesives and paper that make these stickers.
Nevertheless, Laser Food uses a combination of iron oxides and hydroxides to provide the necessary contrast for their etchings to show up on produce. Thus, Laser Food itself may soon be under fire since there are currently no health studies proving iron oxides and hydroxides are safe to ingest.
What's Driving This Trend
- Laser-etched Produce
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop safer and more environmentally-friendly materials for laser etching on produce.
- Decline of Common Stickers
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Create alternative labeling methods for fruits and vegetables that are cost-effective and sustainable.
- Banning Harmful Chemicals
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Explore non-toxic alternatives to the chemicals previously used to coat fruits and vegetables.
Who This Affects Most
- Food Packaging
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Integrate laser-etching technology into packaging solutions to create more efficient and eco-friendly food packaging.
- Labeling and Branding
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop innovative labeling and branding methods that do not rely on traditional stickers or coatings.
- Food Safety and Testing
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Conduct research and studies to ensure the safety of laser-etched produce and explore new testing methods for food contaminants.
