New bag design creates hype to keep fruit ripe

Aug. 24, 2012

Dole Food Company Inc., West Lake Village, Calif., has introduced a new option for consumers at shopping markets. Bags. These seemingly magical poly bags are said to keep bananas fresh up to 6 days longer. Roberto Rodriguez of Amarillo Globe-News snaps images of the Dole FreshPack being tested in a few cities in Texas.

The banana bag is designed with microperforations. The ripening process is slowed by reducing the concentration of oxygen around the bananas while increasing the level of carbon dioxide.

The bag has two pouches so consumers can open one side of the bag and save the other side for later. Rocket science, right? The bags are being tested in Texas supermarkets, and store managers have spotted that the bags are a hit with the older population.

More information: http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2012-08-02/dole-looks-extend-bananas-shelf-life

About the Author

Lindsey Frick

Associate Editor

Lindsey has been an Associate Editor for Machine Design since 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining Penton, she worked in product design, packaging, development and strategy, and manufacturing. She covers the materials market and other areas of interest for design engineers such as 3D printing and methods to operate efficiently.