The non toxic food preservative: blue LED lights

Scientists have discovered an alternative for food preservation, as research has shown blue LED lights have an antibacterial effect on pathogens commonly found on food including E. Coli and Salmonella.  Bacterial cells contain light sensitive compounds that absorb light in the visible region of the spectrum, so exposure to blue LED light can start off a process that causes the cells to die. The light was shown to be most effective when applied to food in cool temperatures, between 39°F (4°C) and 59°F(15°C), and in acidic conditions, like on the surface of freshly sliced fruit.

This breakthrough is an interesting addition to the plethora of technology and health innovations being discovered that will improve the quality of foods across the globe. The researchers’ findings could be applied to commercial food chillers and food supply lines to help to preserve ready-to-eat foods including sushi, smoked salmon and sliced fruit.  This breakthrough may also be one of the final hatchets to the head of conventional fastfood chains, whom have decided to ignore customer feedback to increase the nutritional value of their products and have instead taken the route of supplying incredibly unhealthy GMO and processed foods, laden with lots of food preservatives which blue LED lights can make obsolete.

Source:

Daily Mail