Apio introduces Clearly Fresh bags

Apio Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Landec Corp. and a producer of fresh-cut vegetable products, introduced Clearly Fresh bags, a new consumer product that extends the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables by as much as 50 percent, according to the company. The bags will be available for purchase online at http://www.clearlyfreshbags.com.

Based on the company’s patented BreatheWay packaging technology, Clearly Fresh bags are clear zip-closure 1.25 gallon bags with a breathable membrane and handy write-in space for product notes. The recyclable bags work with a variety of fruits and vegetables, allowing them to naturally create their own ideal atmosphere for natural storage life extension by allowing just the right amount of oxygen in, and more carbon dioxide out. These bags are highly effective with some of the most challenging and yet popular fresh items – including; apples, asparagus, avocados, bananas, berries, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, mangoes and papayas.

“Consumers are interested buying healthy fresh produce items at the local market or farmers markets – Clearly Fresh bags will help them utilize more of what they bring home,” said Cali Tanguay, Apio director of marketing. “Our storage solution uses the produce items own respiration to create a modified atmosphere in the bag. Thus it’s a great solution for organic or pesticide free produce as well as conventional grocery store produce.”

BreatheWay has a successful 15-year track record in the commercial shipment of fruits and vegetables. It’s used in the packaging of their Eat Smart fresh cut vegetable line nationwide, Chiquita Brands uses it for shipment of select products, and the technology has been used in research and development with the U.S. Navy for use onboard ships and to forward locations.

“Using these bags is easy. Consumers simply place individual types of produce in a bag as soon as they return from shopping, and store as usual – lettuce in the refrigerator, bananas on the counter,” Tanguay said. “The bags’ large size allows for the storage of an entire bunch of bananas or a head of lettuce with room to spare.”

A package of 10 re-useable and recyclable bags will be priced at $3.99. In the coming months, the bags will also be available at select retail grocery outlets around the country.