Retailers target quality concerns in Pink Lady apples

In response to identified issues with internal browning, major retailers are increasing their vigilance and testing of remainder of the 2021 season Pink Lady apples. 

Issues with harvest labour and storage last year appear to have consequences for the fruit currently being sent to supermarkets. 

Andrew Mandemaker, APAL Head of Group Quality, said retailers are likely to be worried about the impact this will have on consumers. 

“Biting into a Pink Lady apple with internal browning is an extremely disappointing experience, and will have significant follow-up impacts for that customer and their choice to purchase again,” Andrew said. 

“We are currently seeing a high incidence of internal browning. At this last part of the season, it’s time for packhouses to be extra vigilant: cutting to identify high risk batches, and fine-tuning Near Infrared (NIR) defect sorters to pick up poor-quality fruit before it reaches consumers.” 

APAL’s quality testing program with Quality Associates will give a better understanding of this issue, according to APAL Head of Industry Services Justin Smith. 

“This is a key area for us, and we are continuing to work with retailers to monitor quality and collect data on internal browning both in Distribution Centres and in-store,” Justin said. “We will be sharing the results from this program with industry later in the year. 

 “This is a critical period for monitoring the quality of Pink Lady apples, transitioning from the 2021 season to the 2022 season, and identifying issues in the packhouse – before the product reaches consumers.” 

FURTHER READING

Post-harvest quality: slowing down the ticking clock – Dr Hannah James, AgroFresh (AFG magazine, June 20217)

Pink Lady internal browning – Stephen Tancred, Orchard Services  (Future Orchards orchard walk Presentation, 2010)