But in developing countries with poor infrastructure, as much as half of harvested fruits and vegetables rot in transit before they can be eaten, says food scientist Henry Boerrigter.
Even in industrial countries, 10-20 percent is lost, much of it tossed away by restaurants, groceries or consumers, but the waste often starts close to the farm, and worsens as the produce travels.
Perfotec, a Dutch company, produces laser machines that make microscopic perforations in plastic wrapping film, allowing packaged food to breathe at a reduced rate. That slows ripening by up to five days.
