AgroFresh expands produce freshness solutions in Latin America 

Philadelphia-based AgroFresh Solutions Inc. has announced the new registration approval and launch of SmartFresh ProTabs in Brazil and Mexico. 

This new application method has been added to the SmartFresh Quality system portfolio, extending the availability of AgroFresh’s leading SmartFresh ProTabs technology for growers and packers in these two countries, according to a news release.

AgroFresh changed the way apples are stored 20 years ago with the introduction of SmartFresh, an ethylene management technology, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), the release said.

SmartFresh puts the ripening process on hold so that softening and overripening occur much more slowly during storage and transport, extending shelf life. Leveraging AgroFresh’s extensive regulatory expertise, the global SmartFresh ProTabs formulation is now also available in Brazil and Mexico, the release said.

The launch of this new product presentation in the region continues to build upon AgroFresh’s full portfolio of freshness solutions that are tailored to a variety of customer needs and operation sizes, the company said.

SmartFresh ProTabs offer a unique delayed-release mode, suitable for service and for do-it-yourself applications. It is simpler to use and does not require generators or water to initiate it, the release said.

“At AgroFresh we are driven by a spirit of innovation, continually finding new ways to help our global customers meet an increasing consumer demand for higher-quality, fresher and more sustainable produce,” Narciso Vivot, commercial director for Latin America, said in the release. “Through the expansion of this new simple, convenient application option to Brazil and Mexico, our customers can continue to rely on the SmartFresh Quality System to provide a consistent supply of sustainable high-quality produce as well as help to fight against food loss and waste and minimize their environmental impact.” 

SmartFresh ProTabs is approved for use in apples for storage room treatments and is also approved for a wide variety of tropical crops, including mangoes and avocados, the release said.

SmartFresh ProTabs are easy to apply and handle, offering effective protection against internal and external threats to freshness, resulting in increased shelf life and reduced levels of food loss and waste, according to the company.

The SmartFresh Quality System is used in over 25,000 fruit storage rooms worldwide, the release said.

AgroFresh operates seven innovation centers on four continents in key fruit-growing regions and has introduced a full portfolio of post-harvest freshness solutions, services and digital solutions that address the needs of growers and packers around the world, according to the release.