Promising results for economic alternatives to the use of sulphites

Natureseal dips are composed of food grade vitamin and minerals, developed and formulated specifically for various freshcut products. Natureseal PS10 has been used for some years by processors of a variety of vegetables, but specifically roots, including potato, parsip, celeriac, and sweet potato. The formulation has also been used successfully on some varieties of pepper, and cucurbits such as butternut squash. Although good technical results are seen, and customers do use the products on some of these vegetables, the relatively high cost has meant processors of lower value products, such as whole peeled, or quartered potato, have struggled to make the change from the industry standard for these products, sodium metabisulphite. Also if sulphites are still widely used, there is a growing demand for sulphite free alternatives, and Agricoat Natureseal have been working hard to develop a solution that will give comparable results on potato at a lower cost than our PS10 solution. The company is now testing with industry partners new formulations that show promise, especially when used in combination with vacuum packaging or a microperforated MA film.The picture is by keystonepotato.com