NatureSeal for Guacamole & Avocado, like its other products for freshly cut fruits and vegetables, is tasteless, odorless, free of allergens and sulfites, and Kosher and Halal certified. Its products are made with vitamins, minerals and organic acids.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Aztecs who first enjoyed guacamole were undoubtedly also the ones who discovered how fragile freshly cut avocados are. The creamy green fruit starts to oxidize almost as soon as it's sliced, and if not eaten immediately, it turns a distinctly unappetizing brown.
From adding a splash of lime to covering it with plastic wrap, guacamole lovers have spent centuries searching for ways to slow down the discoloration.
NatureSeal, a Westport, Connecticut-based subsidiary of RPM International Inc. in Medina County, has invented a food-grade formula to keep avocados and guacamole fresh, green and appetizing for up to four hours out of the refrigerator and up to three days when chilled.
Developed for and formerly only available to the food-service industry, NatureSeal for Guacamole & Avocado and NatureSeal for Fresh-Cut Produce will be offered to consumers at www.natureseal.com or by calling 1-800-344-4229. It costs $11 for a box of five packs for either product.
RPM will introduce the avocado formula to its shareholders at its annual meeting on Thursday.
"NatureSeal is a line of products that maintains the fresh qualities of cut produce, namely the color and texture without altering the flavor," said Karen Murphy, director of marketing for NatureSeal's parent company, Mantrose-Haeuser Co., Inc.
"We sell to fresh-cut processors worldwide. In addition, at their request, we introduced NatureSeal for Fresh-cut Produce and NatureSeal for Guacamole & Avocado in the U.S," she said.
The food-grade coating, like NatureSeal's other products for freshly cut fruits and vegetables, is tasteless, odorless, free of allergens and sulfites, and Kosher and Halal certified. "Sulfites are commonly used to prevent oxidative browning, and we wanted to offer a replacement that was a non-allergen and healthy to consume," Murphy said.
"NatureSeal for Fresh-cut Produce will maintain the color and texture of sliced apples, pears, stone fruit, carrots and celery, without altering the flavor for up to five days refrigerated," she added.
"NatureSeal for Guacamole & Avocado will maintain the same qualities in fresh cut avocado (12 hours refrigerated) as well as guacamole (three days if covered and refrigerated after opening)." That means avocados can be sliced and diced up to eight hours in advance, when refrigerated, for salads and sandwiches.
Here's how it works: Consumers mix the NatureSeal powder with water and dip cut produce into the solution. For guacamole, mix NatureSeal powder straight into the mashed avocado pulp before adding the other ingredients.
First developed and patented with the U.S.D.A.'s Agricultural Research Service, NatureSeal edible coatings are made with vitamins and minerals, and now include 18 formulas that help maintain the natural flavor, texture and color and extend the shelf life of apples to carrots to potatoes to papayas. NatureSeal for Guacamole & Avocado is comprised of vitamins, minerals and organic acids.
RPM acquired NatureSeal's parent company, Mantrose-Haeuser Co. Inc., in 1992. Mantrose makes coatings for pills and candy, ingredients that help French fries absorb less fat during frying, and ingredients that help cosmetics adhere better, look glossier, and resist water.