Supermarkets in the UK could start using a new machine that marks fruit with laser “tattoos”, meaning sticky labels may soon become a thing of the past, according laser labelling technology specialist Laser Food
The Spanish firm, which developed the new kit, said that its new technology will help make fruits traceable and “help with food traceability along the whole of the supply chain”. It said that lasers will add logos and barcodes.
UK interest
Laser Food export sales manager Stephane Merit told PN that a number of UK firms were interested in the new technology.
Merit said: “We have designed machines that can etch most fruits and vegetables at high speed and without damaging them at all. The laser light beam that we use has been specifically designed to etch fruit and vegetables. It doesn’t penetrate into the skin but just de-pigments the upper layer of the skin. The mark is so superficial that in most cases it is difficult to see it at first. In order to solve that we have designed a ‘contrast’ liquid – for which we hold a worldwide patent – that we spray on the fruit immediately after etching.
“The fruits are tattooed but unlike tattoos on humans there is no ink involved. Our process is just natural light (generated by a laser) that is sent on the skin of the fruit.
“Thanks to this product, the mark becomes visible due to the reaction of the skin with the product.”
EC move
The move comes after the European Commission relaxed its ban [23 June] on iron oxides and hydroxides which help laser markings stand out on fruit skins.
‘Sticky labels’
Merit added: “Our machines can etch several fruits per second depending on type of fruit, type of logo or text to be printed and size of this logo, for example. They can be used either as separate units that are added to a packing line, or directly on the sorting line. Some machines can also mark directly on fruits in trays. We are currently working on an artificial vision system that allows the machine to detect the position of fruits in the trays.
“The advantages of Laser Food technology for the consumer are numerous, but perhaps the most important is that for the first time ever, the consumer now has the possibility to access all the information relative to a specific piece of fruit.
“This means more safety. For instance, by purchasing a melon marked with the producer’s brand or the variety, the consumer knows what he or she purchases. Sticky labels used to play this role, but since they can go off easily many pieces of fruit reach the shelves unidentified and Laser Food has just brought a solution to that problem.
“We have successfully applied our technology to citrus, melons and watermelons, apples, nectarines, walnuts, and we have machines running in various countries.”
Valencia-based Laser Food received backing from the EU-run Eco Innovation programme. It said that its goal is to promote environmental technologies. Spanish firm Maxfrut manufacturers Laser Food machines.
