When it comes to some supermarket produce, "fresh" is a relative term.
While apples in the store might be crisp and juicy, there's a strong chance they've been sitting in a warehouse for nearly a year, using a process some farmers describe as "putting the apples to sleep."
Packing and shipping companies rely on "controlled atmosphere storage" to keep apples fresh until they're ready to be sold. In sealed rooms, levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as temperature and humidity, are regulated to keep apples in a state of suspended animation.
More about Food And Drug Administration, Diet, Nutrition, Tomatoes, and Bananasvia Zero Tech Blog
