Food Tattoos Coming Your Way

by Susan Davis on 16/09/09 at 2:12 pm

Is at it again

Would you buy  tattooed food?  How about food with laser etchings?

You may not have a choice if the Food and Drug Administration has its way.  In an effort to do away with the sticky labels on fruits and vegetables that provide its name or variety, as well as the product lookup number, the FDA is poised to approve the laser etching of produce within the next 30 to 60 days.  This process, which has been in development for several years, will allow information to be indelibly marked on the surface of all produce.

The subtle markings are designed to help officials check the progress of food as it moves from field to supermarket and eventually to the consumer’s kitchen.  According to officials, it is a safety and security improvement that will help when trying to track down foodborne outbreaks.

The technology consists of laser-etched information on the few outer cells of  fruits and vegetables.  The markings are permanent and can’t be altered.  Scientists say it is not harmful to humans and will not damage the produce or shorten its shelf life.

The technology was invented in 2005 by Sunkist Growers in Sherman Oaks, California.   The laser technology can print on just about any fruit or vegetable, except for leafy greens.

Although the new fruit and vegetable tattoos may be an improvement for grocers over the current sticky labels, it isn’t clear how chefs will view the etchings.  Although subtle and delicate, they are still visible, and will mar the surface of produce, therefore impacting on the aesthetic quality of certain meals they prepare.

The new laser etching is expected to appear within the next two months.