One of the most highly anticipated announcements at the Fruit Logistica February 8 -10, 2017 trade show was that of innovation winner. The coveted award was chosen by more than 75,000 trade visitors from more than 130 countries who attended the fresh produce exhibition in Berlin, Germany.

Out of 10 nominations, Rijk Zwaan seed company won the coveted award for its genetic trait KNOX which delays pinking in fresh-cut lettuce. Oxidation at the edges of a fresh cut lettuce, the natural wound reaction of trimmed cells, manifests itself as a pink-brown discolouration. This unattractive colouring leads to rejection by consumers and increased waste of products which are otherwise qualitatively unimpaired. KNOX delays the pinking and thus prolongs the shelf life of cut lettuce by one to two days. The lettuce does not necessarily require low-oxygen packaging. Cos was the first variety with this new feature. Other varieties include Iceberg, Batavia, Butter, Salanova Crispy and Salanova Butter. For a video, go to: https://www.rijkzwaan.com/solutions/knox

The second-place winner was The Cracking Monkey Pili Nuts from the German firm, Die Frischebox. Pili nuts come from the Philippines. Osmotic pre-germination increases the nutritional value and levels of vitamin E are several times higher than those of other nuts. Using a unique patented method, The Cracking Monkey – Pili Nuts are pre-scored for easy opening and sold with a special stainless steel cracker tool made of recycled cutlery. The nuts are sold in environmentally friendly cotton bags printed with soya-based inks. Frischebox thus guarantees a product which is completely environmentally friendly.

The third-place winner was Natupol Excel – Bumble Bee Vision from Koppert Biological Systems from the Netherlands.