New cucumber coating could end single-use plastic wraps on supermarket shelves

Akorn Technology, a developer of all-natural coatings for fresh fruits and vegetables, has launched an edible coating that is set to "revolutionize the way cucumbers are packed, distributed, sold and consumed by replacing single-use plastic wraps," the company said.

Akorn Natural Advantage for English cucumbers and bell peppers — which forms a natural, invisible barrier that mimics the protective function of plastic — eliminates the need for single-use plastic on long English cucumbers while maintaining freshness and quality, according to the company.

Akorn Natural Advantage preserves the firm texture of wrapped cucumbers while maintaining a crisp crunch. Traditional plastic-wrapped cucumbers may yellow due to ethylene build up in the package, the company explained.

The coating has been selected for a grant from the 2025 Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator cohort, a program led by The Foundation for Fresh Produce and the International Fresh Produce Association.

Natural Advantage makes possible the near total elimination of single-use plastic on produce like cucumbers and peppers.

“Other companies have gone to extremes to find solutions, many of which are simply unpalatable to the average consumer and therefore retailer,” said Akorn CCO and co-founder Xander Shapiro. “Akorn Natural Advantage for cucumbers and peppers is highly effective in retaining product crispness and color, and all without gross ingredients that fly in the face of consumer preferences. Implementation of the solution is simple and only requires minor retooling. Akorn provides full support during this short process.”

Shapiro continues, “Plastic packaging on fresh fruits and vegetables not only contributes to pollution but can also increase food waste by accelerating spoilage and forcing bulk purchases. Studies show that selling produce loose or using breathable, compostable packaging can significantly reduce both plastic waste and food loss. As a result, the industry is rapidly adopting innovative materials and technologies that extend shelf life while supporting environmental goals.”

Since its founding in 2019 by a team of technology and agriculture veterans, Akorn Technology’s mission has been to reduce fresh produce losses in the supply chain through all-natural, easy-to-use shelf-life extension solutions.

These include edible coatings (Akorn Natural Advantage for cucumbers and peppers is the most recent iteration), biological fungicides to reduce decay, natural antibacterials for improving food safety and the development of other all-natural post-harvest solutions.

For more information about Akorn Technology and its participation in the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator, visit akorn.tech.