Big news! The Swag is now SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN to keep fruit and veggies fresh for more than 2 weeks!
Until now, The Swag has relied on the 1000s of five-star customer reviews claiming The Swag keeps produce fresh and crisp for weeks. Now, in our 5th year, we thought it was time to team up with Australia's Applied Horticultural Research, to scientifically test the efficacy of The Swag’s design.
The Sydney-based research facility led the study, which compared the storage life and quality of produce in The Swag, to storing in other common conventional storage methods, in a domestic refrigerator. The results are in and we are so excited to share! This is just the beginning of our research journey, and we can't wait to do and share more! 👩🏻🔬
The Aim:
Our aim for this research was to compare storage life and quality of fruit and veggies in The Swag to the same produce stored in a domestic refrigerator using conventional packaging materials such as plastic bags, paper and no packaging.
We started small, and selected three fruits and veggies that our customers ask the most about: broccolini blueberries and parsley (leafy greens). We bought them all at a major retailer outlet and stored them for 4 weeks in 4 different ways:
- A Swag (flap folded)
- A plastic bag (twisted to close)
- A paper bag (top folded)
- Open (no packaging)
The Results:
Broccolini, parsley and blueberries kept in Swags remained fresh and marketable for more than 2 weeks. In some cases, storage life increased up to four weeks compared to other the other storage options.
Studies found that the Swags increased the storage life of blueberries by 38%. Placing the punnet inside a Swag significantly increased storage life compared to simply storing the punnet inside the fridge. A moist Swag reduced softening and shrivelling as well as the appearance of rots. Blueberries kept in Swags resulted in storage life extending over 2 weeks, going from approximately 13 to 18 days, an extension of 38%.
Studies found that the Swags increased the storage life of broccolini by 25% compared to plastic. The results suggest that broccolini would remain acceptable for approximately 8 days with no packaging, 10 days in a paper bag, 3 weeks in a plastic bag and 4 weeks in a well-hydrated Swag. This represents a 25% increase in storage life inside a Swag compared to a plastic bag.
Studies found that a moist Swag was crucial in keeping the weight and quality of leafy green produce like parsley. Increased moistening of The Swag during weeks 2 and 3 not only slowed this rate of weight loss and yellowing/rotting, but appears to have resulted in slight re-absorption of moisture of the parsley. Results concluded parsley stored open and in paper was completely wilted after only 1 week.
Summary:
The Swag efficacy was indisputable, providing major quality improvements over storing vegetables in other storage options such as plastic, paper bag or simply placing them in the crisper drawer with no packaging. Storing produces in a Swag consistently reduced weight loss and dehydration. Maintaining higher levels of hydration slowed wilting over the weeks and rehydrates stems of veggies. Produce was still marketable after 2 weeks in a Swag and still edible after 4 weeks!
Approved Scientific Claims:
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The Swag keeps fruit and veggies fresh for over two weeks*
* Broccolini, parsley and blueberries kept in The Swag remained fresh and marketable for more than 2 weeks. In some cases, storage life increased up to four weeks.
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The Swag extends the life of fruit and veggies for over two weeks*
* Broccolini and blueberries kept in The Swag resulted in storage life extending over 2 weeks
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The Swag increases storage life of fruit and veggies up to 38% longer than when stored in plastic*
* Studies found The Swag increased storage life of blueberries by 38% compared to ordinary punnets only, and increased storage life of broccolini by 25% compared to plastic
- Studies found The Swag increased storage life of veggies like broccoli for up to 4 weeks (25% longer than plastic)
- The Swag provides major quality improvements over storing vegetables in a paper bag or simply placing them in the crisper drawer with no packaging
If you have any questions regarding this matter, do not hesitate to contact us at info@theswag.com.au and we will be happy to discuss further with you 📩
