Waitrose has endorsed the storage of potatoes using BioFresh’s ethylene storage system.

Following a presentation by BioFresh at Solanum’s annual potato conference earlier this year, the retailer is planning to take part of its potato range ‘residue free’ next season. The range will increase as more growers adopt the ethylene storage system with a view to having a fully CIPC free range in the next few years.

Richard Barnes, BioFresh’s Managing Director said: “The results of the work we have carried out with Solanum have shown that not only is ethylene very successful in suppressing sprouting in potatoes it also doesn’t have any affect on the taste and texture of the potatoes - even susceptible varieties such as King Edward, Maris Piper and Marfona - as long as the stores are kept well ventilated and CO2 is not allowed to build up.

“Unlike other ethylene management systems, the BioFresh system is proven to accurately maintain ethylene at the required levels in potato stores and uses pure ethylene gas with no contaminants.”

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