Quakenbrück - Last week, the DIL put the first prototype for mobile processing of fresh fruit into operation. Scientists and technicians have equipped a container with modern technology from food processing and preservation as part of the EU project "Food processing in a box" - FOX for short.
The DIL German Institute of Food Technologies is partner and coordinator in the FOX project. The core objective is to develop and evaluate mobile or modular processing units for fresh fruits and vegetables. Because further processing of the harvested produce can take place directly on site, farmers, cooperatives or small processing companies not only achieve higher added value, they also avoid food losses. The latter are not uncommon, especially during harvest peaks. The result of the "FOX Container" is high-quality products such as mildly processed juices that producers can market regionally. Surplus produce in the fresh produce sector also no longer has to be discarded. "We also want to make a contribution to triggering transformation processes in our food system. Developments over the past two years have once again made it clear how important a regional and robust agri-food sector is", says project coordinator Dr. Kerstin Pasch.
In total, four different prototypes are being developed in the project. The DIL is responsible for the mobile processing of fresh fruit into juices or purees and works with mild pressing technology and gentle preservation for this purpose. Dr. Kemal Aganovic, head of the Advanced Technologies department, explains: "The use of modern technologies in food preservation helps to avoid additional preservatives and to increase the quality." The DIL scientists could now convince themselves of the result - freshly pressed apple juice - for the first time.
For more information on the project, visit www.fox-foodprocessinginabox.eu or contact project coordinator Kerstin Pasch (k.pasch@dil-ev.de).
