Japan-based vertical farming company Spread has unveiled its innovative Techno Fresh processing method.

Spread says this technique extends the shelf life of cut lettuce by up to two times, without compromising freshness, taste or quality.

The company has also initiated the construction of Techno Fresh Hadano, a state-of-the-art salad processing plant near Tokyo.

The Techno Fresh method is a result of Spread’s commitment to tackling the issue of food waste, particularly in Japan, which ranks 14th globally in food waste generation with over 8 million tons discarded in 2021.

Strict regulations on product expiration dates contribute to Japan’s high food waste rate. For instance, commonly used standards for fresh-cut vegetables require a viable bacteria count lower than 1,000,000 for 1g of the product, limiting the shelf life of fresh-cut lettuce to 3-4 days.

Spread’s Techno Fresh method addresses these challenges by utilising pesticide-free lettuce cultivated in the hygienic environment of Techno Farm. This lettuce is combined with in-house developed processing technologies that prevent bacterial growth.

As a result, Spread has achieved a shelf life of six days for fresh-cut lettuce in Japan, doubling the conventional duration. Notably, the Techno Fresh method also prevents browning and discolouration of lettuce, eliminating the need for washing agents with unpleasant odours.

Techno Fresh Hadano

Techno Fresh Hadano is the company’s inaugural large-scale salad processing plant utilising the Techno Fresh system. This next-generation facility will process 8 tons of lettuce per day, with 85% of the processes automated, including the implementation of the world’s first AI-based lettuce core remover.

Automation at Techno Fresh Hadano is projected to yield a substantial increase in productivity, while the dedicated in-house processing design enhances resource efficiency, reducing water usage by 55%.

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