Tag: Post harvest treatment

According to the U.S. National Agricultural Library, many fresh fruits and vegetables, including pears, are washed and waxed after harvest to prevent premature rotting and extend shelf life. While pears have a natural wax coating, this layer is often removed during the cleaning process, necessitating the application of an artificial food-grade wax.

Ergot contamination can lead to significant grain downgrading and health risks for both humans and livestock. When hard, purple-black sclerotia replace healthy kernels, effective post-harvest cleaning becomes critical to salvage grain quality and market value.

Apples naturally produce their own protective layer of wax, known as bloom, which helps retain moisture and inhibit mold growth. However, this natural wax is removed during the cleaning process after harvest, leading producers to re-apply a thin coating of food-grade wax to maintain the fruit's freshness and appearance.