UK-based thermal insulation cover manufacturers Enviro-Pod have launched a unique internal roll cage lining which is currently being used to transport chilled goods throughout Spain for a major supermarket chain.

The new innovation is designed to fit within a roll-cage, allowing produce to be sealed at a chilled temperature for long periods, without the need for electricity or any other assistance. Having the material secured inside the cage gives it protection by reducing wear and tear and reducing the chance of produce becoming unsecured in transit.

Independent tests have proven that Chill Pod’s use of NASA’s Flectalon technology can result in a considerable reduction on fuel costs and the carbon footprint of transport companies and storage units, by maintaining temperature, without the need for an additional fuel source. By removing refrigeration from delivery vehicles, companies are also able to increase their distribution capacity, reducing the number of journeys required.

The unique insulating properties of the covers are constructed from a flat polymer sheet, coated with a thin layer of aluminium which combines conventional trapped air thermal insulation with multiple mirror finish surfaces to maintain the correct temperature of the product contained within. When tested against a competitor the unique Chill Pod design saw an increase of only 3.4 degrees over a 12 hour period, compared to 7 degrees by a leading competitor.

Chill Pod Director Valerie Bullard added “With transportation costs spiralling and legislation on corporate carbon reduction tightening, it is important that we look at innovative solutions. The flexibility and performance of the material means that the Chill Pod range of covers provides the solution the logistics industry has been waiting for. Independent tests prove that Chill Pod can lower costs and reduce the carbon footprint of any business using temperature controlled transport, at a time when an estimated 15% of energy usage in industrialised countries is devoted to refrigeration.”

Manufactured in the UK, Chill Pods can be tailor made to specific client specifications. Chill Pods are lightweight, hard wearing and water resistant and boast excellent impact and abrasion resilience.

For more information please call 01603 702374 or email info@enviro-pod.co.uk

With the fruit, vegetable and flower industry’s focus on waste and ultimately reducing costs, Fresh Pod technology has been rigorously tested and proven to increase the storage time of English Savoy Cabbage for between 6-8 weeks without the need to introduce chemicals or expensive ozone producing systems.

Lankfer Ltd, based near Wisbech and a supplier of cabbages, cauliflowers and other fresh produce to wholesalers and the retail market, has installed a Fresh Pod EC3 filter machine within its cold store which has succeeded in reducing the presence of 99% of the ethylene, given off naturally by the cabbages and responsible for accelerating the ripening process. As well as extending the freshness of the produce by up to eight weeks, the Fresh Pod system also kills invisible airborne spores and moulds which are also major contributors to premature ripening and ultimately increased wastage.

The Fresh Pod system has extended the English produce season for Lankfer giving them the ability to extend their supplies of English grown produce into the retail market. Fresh Pod’s completely natural solution gives customers fresh local produce and reduces waste at source cutting Lankfers environmental impact – reducing imports and ultimately cutting costs.

Lee Parker, Commercial Director at Lankfer. “We have known for awhile that ethylene is a major contributor to the shortening of storage periods with our Savoy Cabbages. We have tried several methods to slow the process with little success to date. Fresh Pod technology has the credentials to sort the problem. We have tested it in one of our store rooms with superb results. We have been able to supply our customers with an English cabbage for an extended period of eight weeks, giving us more control over the supply chain, part of which is to be able to remove the need to rely on a foreign source. Our customer has a great sales message – UK grown, their customers like the localness and we benefit financially and environmentally. There is no doubt the technology works and we have great comfort in the fact it is natural, sensibly priced and as a bonus has a positive effect on our carbon footprint”

Valerie Bullard, Director, Fresh Pod “We have never doubted the technology and the positive effect Fresh Pod has on reducing waste and cutting costs. The fruit, vegetable and flower industry has many challenges in a tough economic environment coupled with the pressure to contribute to a greener planet. It gives us great pleasure when customers like Lee at Lankfer's is prepared to embrace our innovative technology and we can deliver behind it”.

Fresh Pod technology has been in use across the globe for many years. Developed in the San Joaquin Valley in California the technology has been a driving force behind protecting the local fresh produce industry from imported produce by extending storage periods and lessening the need to source fruit and vegetables outside of the country during the slow season.

Proven to outperform other systems available and with the accreditation of the OMRI, Fresh Pod is independently proven to reduce wastage and costs and to contribute positively to an organisations environmental impact.

Ethylene Control, power pellets were introduced into the UK several years ago by Fresh Pod as a consumer product selling thousands to householders who have extended the life of their fresh produce by up to four times.  With the UK commercial market having to work harder in tough economic conditions Fresh Pod is an environmentally friendly way of increasing shelf life naturally and is guaranteed to reduce waste and to significantly cut costs.

By Andrew Lawn - Fresh Pod and Enviro-Pod

One third of the annual global food production is lost or wasted, meaning that huge amounts of the resources used in the production of food are in vain.

According to figures released by the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology, post-harvest food waste occurs throughout the supply chain. Pest infestations, severe weather, mechanical harvesting, poor storage and stringent quality regulations can all result in dramatic losses of produce and ultimately money, even before produce reaches the consumer. Some of these factors are of course out of our hands, but in many cases, small changes at each stage of the chain can pay big dividends.

Despite us being a small country where field-to-fork is achievable, temperature, ethylene, pests and micro-organisms are all able to decimate a crop both qualitatively and quantitatively. It is vital to ensure that produce is stored correctly, and it is here that the biggest savings can be made. Temperature control has long been known to be effective at protecting food from deteriorating, while providing an environment which is hostile to micro-organisms and pests, but it is not a standalone solution – particularly when so much of the produce consumed in the country is now brought in from further afield.

Alongside refrigeration, producers need an effective ethylene control solution, to combat build-up of the gas, and to further combat moulds, bacteria and fungi. The presence of ethylene causes fruits to ripen and decay prematurely and vegetable and floral products to wilt. There is no ‘safe’ level for ethylene and controlling ethylene levels after picking will extend the life cycle of produce, allowing it to be held for a much longer period of time. While proper refrigeration and humidification slow decay, they do not prevent the production of ethylene.

Once produce reaches the consumer, wastage is of less concern to the producer, given that it is likely to lead to increased purchasing, but the environmental impact provides cause for long-term concern.

Retail stores are a big part of this problem, throwing away large quantities of food. Usually, this consists of items that are deemed to have reached their “best-before” dates. A large proportion of this food is still edible at the time of disposal. This waste is just that – waste. Some stores actively prevent access to poor or homeless people. There are others who do work with charitable organisations to distribute food but, sadly, this is not the norm.

It is clear that the mass-production culture is unsustainable, without more being done at all stages of the process to better protect and use the food we grow.

Courtesy of The Fresh Produce Journal

 We are delighted to announce the UK launch of a fantastic new product from our sister company Enviro-Pod, which can prevent and cure problems and pain associated with breast feeding; Breast Aid.

Breast-Aid pads are the ultimate natural aid for all Mums who want to breast-feed their babies easily and comfortably, and make this unique time with their babies pain and stress free.

These breast warmers are designed as a natural and effective aid to help prevent or ease the common problems associated with breast-feeding, such as:

• Mastitis (inflammation of the breast)
• Nipple Vasospasm
• Letdown
• Engorgement
• Expressing
• Blocked Ducts

 
The pads utilise NASA technology and uses a mother’s natural body heat, to help prevent and cure problems including mastitis, engorgement, blocked ducts and nipple vasospasm. They also provides fast and effective relief from hard, sore or lumpy breasts and can help with expressing and blocked ducts. They are also ideal for new mothers choosing not to breast feed and having to deal with milk reduction.

Prevention is better than cure, the pads are also recommended to be used immediately after birth as a protection against any potential breast pain problems.

Warming the breasts with Breast Aid is a fast and easy way to help relieve the pain and discomfort, and help the milk flow more easily. Continuation of frequent feeding, to try and "empty" the breast , will help unblock the milk ducts. Feed on the affected breast first. Changing the baby's feeding position may also help.

For more information, or to order your Breast Aids, call 08456 345 185 or email info@enviro-pod.co.uk

Enviro-Pod are delighted to announce that we are linking up the Pod, EDF Energy's programme for greener schools.
 
The Pod, EDF Energy's programme for greener schools is an online educational programme for teachers of 4 to 14 year olds. The Pod has free lesson plans, fact sheets, games and activities that are linked to the curriculum and span a range of environmental topics. The Pod also runs three national environmental campaigns each year to help the whole school, parents and the local community engage in a more sustainable lifestyle. 
 
As part of the link-up Enviro-Pod are able to offer all registered schools 10% OFF the entire Enviro-Pod range.
 
Over 14,500 schools are already registered with the Pod, to find out more or to register visit www.jointhepod.org