What Kind of Tattoo Does Your Fruit Have?

A technology that uses carbon dioxide laser beams isn’t designed to combat climate change; rather, it’s designed to improve the traceability of fruit and vegetables. That’s right, tattoos on fruits and vegetables may be the wave of the future in food security technology.

Mike Stones reports for Food Production Daily online that Jan Narcisco, a microbiologist with ARS Citrus and Subtropical Products Laboratory in Winter Haven, Florida expects Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the laser etching technology is imminent.

That tattoos would replace the current food labeling method of using PU stickers. So far the technology has been successful with grapefruits. Here’s how it works: the carbon dioxide laser etches tiny holes into the outer cells of the fruit or vegetable’s skin, creating the tattoo. The carbon dioxide effectively seals the holes, which helps prevent decay of the label, as well as the ability of pathogens to get through the holes. Additionally, “the information cannot be distorted, peeled off, washed off or changed.”

Narcisco believes the tattoo is a more reliable and efficient way “to improve the security of produce and to check its progress through the food chain or at supermarket checkout lines . . .” If the technology does get FDA approval its commercial use will likely soon follow. Adding wax to the label may, or may not be necessary; however, Stones quotes Narcisco as stating, ‘“Etching fruit peel does not increase water loss or facilitate the entrance of food pathogens or post harvest pathogens if the laser label is covered with wax[.]”’ Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to use wax with the technology will likely hinge on whether or not the tattoos cause water loss in the produce or if pathogens find a way to pierce through the tattooed skin.

Besides grapefruit, testing is also being “conducted on other citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic and avocados.” Former University of Florida scientist Greg Drouillard invented the carbon laser technology. Drouillard is now employed by the agricultural co-operative Sunkist Growers.

To read the Stones article click here.

Posted: 09/04/09