AgriCoat NatureSeal renews its AA+ rating following BRC audit

AgriCoat NatureSeal has renewed its AA+ rating after successfully completing a new BRC audit, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of its certification under schemes recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The company highlighted the contribution of its production and packing teams to achieving the highest rating available under this audit programme.

The certification covers the manufacture and quality control of AgriCoat solutions for fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, produce washing technologies and plant-based coatings for whole fruit. The quality system covers each stage of the process, from the receipt of raw materials through to packing and final product validation.

Ten years of certification and quality control

AgriCoat formulations are manufactured under GFSI-recognised standards, and every batch undergoes physicochemical and microbiological testing. The system also includes checks on raw materials, blends, packaging and finished products, together with compliance with current food legislation in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The company also holds Halal and Kosher certifications, while certain formulations may be used in organic production in accordance with the relevant ECOCERT and OMRI approvals. This quality framework supports a range aimed mainly at minimally processed fruit and vegetables and the postharvest protection of whole fruit.

Solutions for washing and fresh-cut produce

AgriCoat's portfolio includes technologies for different stages of fruit and vegetable processing. These include NatureSeal FS, a chlorine-free washing system based on organic acids that can be used on fruit, vegetables and leafy produce, particularly raw materials carrying soil or other field residues.

The NatureSeal range is designed to maintain the quality of peeled, cut or sliced produce. Its formulations are used to control enzymatic browning, reduce moisture loss and help preserve colour, firmness, aroma and flavour throughout shelf life. Applications include apples, avocados, mangoes, bananas, melons, pineapples, papayas, pears, carrots and potatoes, among other fruit and vegetables, with options free from sulphites, allergens and genetically modified organisms.

Coatings for whole fruit

The portfolio also includes SemperFresh plant-based coatings for the postharvest protection of whole fruit. They can be applied by dipping, drenching or spraying and form an edible, tasteless and odourless film over the surface.

These coatings are designed to slow respiration and ripening, reduce weight loss and shrivelling, and help maintain firmness during storage and distribution. They may also contribute to limiting surface marks and chilling injury in certain tropical and subtropical fruits.

Research and technical support

AgriCoat has research and development teams in the United Kingdom and the United States, bringing together specialists in chemistry, food technology, microbiology, plant physiology and postharvest science. Their work includes developing formulations tailored to different raw materials, shelf-life targets and processing conditions.

The company also provides support with treatment application and industrial process optimisation, working with processors to adapt solutions to each product and production line. The renewal of the AA+ rating therefore supports the control system applied across a portfolio ranging from initial washing to the protection of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables and whole fruit.

More information