Ford’s Produce Fruit Ripening Guide

Ethylene Gas:  Benefits and effects to produce
Ethylene is one of the most active plant hormones known.  Fruit can be ripened quickly by introducing ethylene gas into a controlled environment.  For example, it is often used to ripen bananas, tomatoes, and avocados.  By placing peaches in a closed bag, you’re taking advantage of the fruits natural ethylene to speed softening.

To avoid deterioration or rapid ripening of sensitive foods, you should avoid storing them too close together with products that emit a great deal of ethylene gas.  Damaged or older fruits generate increased levels of ethylene, so remove injured produce right away.  If you only have one cooler, keep lids on storage boxes, store sensitive items as far away as possible from ethylene producers, and rotate product properly.  If your inventory turns quickly, ethylene should not cause quality problems.

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