Food system innovator Apeel has unveiled a food imaging technology that can instantly determine the ripeness of avocados without harming or degrading the produce item. The company achieved this by combining machine learning with an advanced imaging technology. 

“Apeel started with a mission to prevent food waste across the supply chain with our plant-based protective coating,” states James Rogers, chief executive officer of Apeel. “Our mission hasn’t changed, but we are evolving our offerings to further drive change in the food system.”

“Apeel started with a mission to prevent food waste across the supply chain with our plant-based protective coating,” states James Rogers, chief executive officer of Apeel. “Our mission hasn’t changed, but we are evolving our offerings to further drive change in the food system.” 

“The expansion of our technology offerings will increase access to insights to create a smarter supply chain that maximizes the lifespan, quality, and sustainability of fresh fruits and vegetables.” 

Currently, the technology is only available for avocados, but the company plans to produce models that could be used on other produce products such as mangos, mandarin oranges and limes. The innovation may be used in conjunction with Apeel’s edible coatings to further reduce packaging waste.

Improving the produce food system

Apeel states the new imaging tech may help mitigate food waste and allow consumers to obtain consistently ripe produce, not just for avocados. The company adds that the tech holds implications for the whole industry.

To illustrate the tech’s abilities and uses, the company will deploy an upgraded artificial intelligence data module for all its produce sorters and imaging hardware for use in distribution centers and packing houses. The devices scan the savory fruit and then instantly categorizes it based on ripeness. 

After the avocado is sorted, it can be distributed to the “optimal retailer” based on distance and remaining shelf life. 

The company states that this will have a significant impact on food waste and in streamlining the distribution process. The technology is currently being tested at an undisclosed, European-based commercial packing house. 

“This technology and data model will really improve supply chain efficiency,” explains Simon Hunt, chief operating office of MAF Industries. “The data will determine whether a piece of fruit can be stored, whether it can be delivered through the supply chain at a slower pace, or whether it needs to be on shelves tomorrow.” 

“When we have this clear picture, we can send the fruit to a different location on the pipeline and treat that fruit differently.”

Is this avocado ready for toast?
The company is set to launch an avocado quality scanner that can be used by grocery retailers and distributors, and the recorded ripeness data can be used in making stocking, merchandising and receiving decisions. The tech is currently being tested in Europe and North America. 

The company also announced plans to introduce a ripeness scanner for use by consumers. The Apeel RipeFinder will be demoed at the Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce Show and Floral Show in Orlando, Florida, US, this week. 

It gives consumers useful information  regarding the ripeness of their avocados, such as messages that say, “your avocado will be ready in four days” or “your avocado is ready for salad.”

Increasing the avocado’s popularity
Apeel states that one of the leading factors affecting consumers’ decisions on whether or not to purchase an avocado is the guesswork and frustration when attempting to calculate ripeness. It believes the new technology will increase the popularity of avocados by taking the guesswork out of the buying and selling process. 

The current method for testing uses a penetrometer – a device that puts a hole in the fruit with a needle to acquire the sample – which can be destructive to the fruit and create more waste. Apeel’s process uses a light beam and measures how much of the visible and near-infrared light spectrum is reflected back, causing no harm or damage to the fruit.

“The global avocado ripeness model was developed using machine learning by collecting data on tens of thousands of avocados throughout multiple seasons, blooms, and countries of origin,” Lou Perez, co-founder and senior vice president of new product introduction at Apeel, concludes. 

“This deep knowledge of produce behavior, as well as our integrated position in the supply chain, gives Apeel a unique advantage to create technologies that protect, detect, and direct quality produce and ultimately improve food supply chain decisions.”