FDA approves laser technology for etching citrus fruit
FDA approves laser technology for etching citrus fruit
WASHINGTON — Consumers who reach for citrus may see codes etched directly on the fruit in the near future as the Food & Drug Administration approved for the first time the use of the new technology.
Sunkist Growers Inc. was one of the companies that petitioned the FDA last year to use the new technology, a carbon dioxide laser, for etching information on the skin of fresh, intact citrus fruit.
The LaGrange, GA-based Durand-Wayland Inc., a co-petitioner, said its patented National Light Labeling System uses a concentrated beam of light to remove the pigment of the outer layer of skin to etch logos, country-of-origin information or lot and batch numbers.
The benefit of the technology is that it would help growers, packers or retailers with the problem of adhesive labels that often fall off fruits and vegetables.
"It's neat and clean, with no glue, plastic, paper or ink," Durand-Wayland, the produce equipment supplier, said on its website. "It can etch logos, PLUs, country-of-origin, lot and batch numbers — virtually anything you might want — all without buying, peeling, storing or cleaning adhesive labels ever again."
The FDA reviewed studies submitted with the food additive petition on the potential microbiological and chemical effects from eating food with the new labeling system.
Studies compared the effects in tomatoes, potatoes and apples exposed to the carbon dioxide laser etching system to those cooked with infrared heat and found the etched foods did not generate new chemical substances, the FDA said in the June 11 Federal Register.
The FDA reviewed a study on the survivability of inoculated Salmonella on the surface of Valencia oranges that had been etched compared to fruit that had not undergone laser labeling. There were few differences between the two, and Salmonella was not detected in the juice portion of any decay-free oranges etched by the laser, the studies showed.
The agency also looked at the safety of the etched fruit in the commercial juice supply as some product may be diverted if there's a cancelled order or if shelf life expires.
"FDA concludes that no additional safety data or analysis is necessary because the evidence submitted by the petitioners has established that there is no material difference between etched and non-etched citrus fruit," the agency said.
