Global Fresh Foods, which specializes in extending the shelf life of fresh food, recently announced it has begun using its technology to ship fresh salmon from Chile by sea to the west coast of the U.S. without using ice, environmentally harmful polystyrene foam packaging or expensive carbon emissions-heavy air freight.
The technology company’s SAF-D system maintains a high carbon dioxide and low oxygen controlled atmosphere, utilizing fuel cell technology to transform oxygen into water vapor. The company claims this allows for the natural preservation of fresh proteins and extends the shelf life of fresh food.
As a result, West Coast seafood distributors can now receive by ocean freight rather than by air, making it easier to provide a consistent supply of seafood around the world.
“Our first shipment of Chilean salmon to the west coast demonstrates that the seafood industry finally has the technology that compares to the perishable meat industry, where the supply chain process is often 40-50 days long,” said Mark Barnekow, CEO of Global Fresh Foods.
The company collaborated with Lusamerica Foods, Inc. known for its sustainability practices in the seafood industry, to bring the shipment to the west coast. Global Fresh Foods says it expects to continue its shipments of fresh salmon from Chile, extending from its current east coast program, as well as commencing shipments to Japan later this month.
“By being able to keep the fresh qualities of fish longer, there are new opportunities for suppliers, distributors and retailers alike,” Barnekow added.
In other seafood news, last month a coalition of 30 consumer, health, food safety and fishing groups launched the Campaign for Genetically Engineered-Free Seafood and announced several major grocery retailers, including Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, had committed to not sell genetically engineered seafood if it is allowed onto the market.
Get the latest insights, trends, and innovations to help position yourself at the forefront of sustainable business leadership—delivered straight to your inbox.
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Apr 4, 2013 1am EDT / 10pm PDT / 6am BST / 7am CEST