FOODStuff SA | FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Awards 2019

12 Feb 2019 FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Awards 2019

Posted at 13:26h in Top International Stuff by Brenda 0 Comments

The annual FRUIT LOGISTICA expo was held last week in Berlin, the must-do trade show for the fresh produce world. Its innovation awards always draw lots of publicity – and here is news of the three winners and other finalists.

Trade visitors to FRUIT LOGISTICA had two days to cast their votes for the industry’s most important prize.

Gold Award

The FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award was won by the “Oriental Red – red kiwi fruit” from Jingold in Italy.

Originally from China, the red Dong-Hong kiwi not only has unique organoleptic properties, but also boasts an excellent shelf life.

As well as the fiery red colour of its flesh, trade visitors also commented on the fruit’s extremely pleasant, sweet taste. With a sugar content of 20 to 21 degrees Brix, the Oriental Red – red kiwi fruit leaves an exotic aftertaste.

Silver Award

Silver was awarded to the “Softripe Ripening Technology” from German firm, Frigotec.

Trade visitors were impressed by this natural, energy-saving ripening technology for bananas and other tropical fruit. Thanks to Softripe Ripening Technology, fruit reaches consumers at optimum ripeness. Varying the different ripening levels can also improve fruit quality.

Bronze Award

The Bronze FLIA was won by the “Top-sealable compostable, recyclable strawberry punnet” from CKF in Canada.

With their sealable, compostable and recyclable wood pulp punnets for 350 to 400 grams of strawberries, the Canadians are setting an example of environmental protection in terms of sustainability.

The wood pulp punnet not only provides a great deal of protection for the fruit and a view of the product, but also ensures a longer shelf life, without using plastic.

The nominees for the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award (FLIA) for 2019 were selected by a panel of experts and whittled down from over 70 submissions.

The other seven nominees:

	Avocado Pitter 300-AVC – CTI Food Tech, Italy A patented machine for removing avocado seeds. It guides and transports up to 300 avocados per minute into a special feeder tank where the fruit is positioned vertically and cut into two halves. A pin then removes the seed.
	Fred – the pear – VariCom, Switzerland A red-cheeked pear variety in the premium segment, characterised by constant fruit size, crunchy texture and consistency, as well as a pleasant balance of sweetness and light acidity. It does not drip and maintains an optimum balance between crispness and juiciness.
	DCM Viscotec Blue – De Ceuster Meststoffen – DCM, Belgium An odourless, highly concentrated, water-soluble and easy to dose mild gel fertilizer for use in organic agriculture and horticulture. High nitrogen content, potassium and amino acids stimulate the root system as well as nutrient absorption and overall plant growth.
	Modula – Roter Italia, Italy An electronic sowing machine with flexible piercing elements to pick up the plant seed and place the optimum sowing quantity in the soil troughs at optimum sowing distances. Activation or deactivation takes place directly on the display.
	PerfoTecO2Control – PerfoTec, Netherlands A CO2 protective gas system suitable for all packaging machines, with a patented gas flushing tube. A finely adjusted gas mixture of CO2, oxygen and nitrogen is adapted to the individual respiration requirements of the respective fruit and vegetable product.
	Redlander – Bejo, Netherlands A red hybrid onion almost completely resistant to downy mildew. Fresh and juicy, with good skin quality and a light interior colour, the seed is available as organic and conventional in various pack sizes. Considered to have particularly good harvest and storage properties.
	Slide Valeriana Eco – Hortech, Italy An electrically operated full harvesting machine for lamb’s lettuce with a special comb conveyor system to optimise transport. The large steering radius of 75degrees guarantees the highest cutting quality. Asynchronous motors and battery power ensure ecological operation.