FreshSeal helps Prime Time deliver higher-quality, longer-lasting produce to market

BASF's FreshSeal® postharvest coatings are helping Prime Time International, Coachella Valley, California, to deliver on its promise to provide more, higher-quality peppers to market - 365 days per year.

Prime Time is applying BASF’s FreshSeal coatings to green, red and yellow peppers that are sold in grocery stores throughout the U.S.

“Our company is committed to year-round, on-time delivery of peppers that are distinguished by their color, flavor and freshness. FreshSeal coatings lock in moisture and freshness, helping our peppers to retain the highest level of quality all the way to the consumer. FreshSeal coatings will help us to provide a superior product with increased shelf life,” said Chuck Hodges, Managing Partner of Prime Time International.

Prime Time pepper cartons will bear a “FreshSeal Premium Quality Produce” sticker, indicating the added value of the coatings, which are authorized under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, and are safe for consumers.

“Prime Time is known in the produce industry as ‘The Pepper People,’ and BASF is pleased that a highly recognized and respected brand has made a strong commitment to FreshSeal,” said Mitchell Maurer, BASF’s Business Development Manager for FreshSeal coatings. “FreshSeal keeps produce fresh longer and helps mitigate decreases in the amount of salable produce through the supply chain, giving growers the flexibility to extend storage, shipping distance and shelf life.”

FreshSeal coatings have the potential to replace wax, plastic bags and other freshness preservation methods because they reduce the product loss that comes with transportation and storage, and allow growers and shippers to sell into new and farther markets. In addition to peppers, FreshSeal coatings are available for use with tomatoes, mangoes, melons, cucumbers, pineapples, papayas, and avocados.

BASF acquired the FreshSeal coatings business from Agway on January 14, 2004. FreshSeal coatings are part of BASF’s Fine Chemicals Division in North America and are available for customers in Europe, Asia and South America.

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