LED technology lights up the way for retail food waste

Food retailers could be set to benefit from a simple solution to Britain's food waste problem with the introduction of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.


Supermarkets across the country generate 300,000 tonnes of food waste every year, and according to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME), much of this is avoidable as it is caused by poor storage.

Welsh company Sedna claims conventional lighting is responsible for a large amount of food waste as it emits heat, causing the fresh produce to sweat in its packaging and go off faster.

Illuminating fresh produce with LED lighting could offer a solution as it does not emit heat or any UV or IR rays, ensuring that food stays fresher for longer.

A report released in January by the IME revealed that 2 billion tonnes of the world’s food production is going to waste each year.  

It also stated that up to half of all food bought in Europe and the US is thrown away by the consumer and smarter strategies around water conservation and waste prevention could potentially provide 60 to 100% more food.

Sedna believes that as well as saving money for retailers by helping to combat food waste, LED lighting also makes business sense as it can increase the aesthetics of the food on display, driving up sales.

In a statement the company said: “From a point of sales perspective, good quality lighting allows for a better presentation and exhibition of goods as they are perfectly rendered in their natural colours.”

Conor McGlone

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