'Tattoos' on fruit by laser technology

The laser engraving technology on food tends to dominate shopping centers and supermarkets. Many high-tech companies plan to begin distributing citrus-type citrus fruits to the market in 2011.

Kiwifruit carved logos, dates and other information on the shells. (Photo: Daily Mail)

The Valencia laser etching technology uses low-intensity lasers to carve information such as the country of origin and the exporter. In addition, it is possible to engrave small graphics on apples, bananas, citrus fruits. Managing director Jaime Sanfelix said laser engraving is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional labeling because it does not use paper, ink or glue.

He told the trade magazine The Grocer: " Our aim is to be big retailers in the UK, using our technology as a means of controlling the products they sell .

He added that laser engraved dates on fruit and vegetable shells helped retailers manage more products.

Laser marking technology has been used in other countries such as Japan and is about to be marketed by Sunkist Growers to the US market as ' natural light labeling '.

But he warned that the accuracy and readability of laser engraved labels as well as consumer perceptions are important. " We have to make sure consumers understand that this technology does not affect the product's natural features, " said Barlow.

A market research company says consumers will love laser engraving more than traditional labels once they get used to it.