Supermarket giant Tesco is set to revolutionise the way we shop for avocados with a cutting-edge handheld scanner that takes the guesswork out of selecting the perfect fruit. The innovative trial, a first for a UK retailer, aims to tackle the nation's food waste problem head-on.
The device, which resembles a small torch, uses advanced light technology to peer inside the avocado and accurately assess its ripeness. This allows staff to provide customers with precise advice on whether the fruit is ready to eat immediately or needs a few more days to ripen.
The Technology Behind the Perfect Avocado
The scanner operates by shining a specific light beam into the avocado. By analysing how the light is absorbed and scattered, the device can determine the fruit's internal condition and its starch-to-sugar ratio – the key indicators of ripeness.
This scientific approach is a world away from the traditional, and often unreliable, method of gently squeezing the fruit. It promises to put an end to the disappointment of cutting open a rock-hard or brown and mushy avocado.
A Major Step in the Fight Against Food Waste
This initiative is a significant part of Tesco's broader commitment to reducing food waste. A staggering 30% of all avocados purchased in the UK are thrown away, often because they aren't consumed at the right time.
By ensuring customers buy avocados at their ideal stage of ripeness, Tesco hopes to see a dramatic reduction in the number of fruits discarded uneaten. This not only saves money for shoppers but also benefits the environment by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The trial is currently underway, and if successful, this technology could be rolled out to more stores and potentially applied to other types of fruit in the future.
