How FreshLab Tackles the Root Causes of Food Spoilage
Global food waste costs $1 trillion annually, with fruits and vegetables suffering 31% post-harvest losses. The causes are well known, yet rarely addressed together. Spoilage is driven by four interconnected forces. Most solutions focus on one. FreshLab tackles all four simultaneously.
The Four Root Causes of Spoilage
Harvest → micro cuts → bacteria entry
↓
Internal moisture → mold growth
↓
Ethylene release → accelerated ripening
↓
Excess humidity → ideal microbial environment
Single-factor solutions fail. Moisture absorbers ignore bacteria. Ethylene scrubbers do not stop mold. Cold chain slows decay but does not eliminate it. FreshLab delivers comprehensive protection in one system.
FreshLab’s Breakthrough Mechanism
The Material
FreshLab is made from bentonite clay combined with volcanic microorganisms and grapefruit extract, processed through a triple-stage baking process (300°C → 500°C → 800°C). This creates a highly porous structure containing dormant, heat-resistant microbes.
Moisture-Activated Defense
Produce releases moisture
→ Bentonite absorbs humidity
→ Microbes activate
→ 99.9% anaerobic bacteria eliminated
→ Existing mold neutralized
→ Ethylene reduced by 80%+
No electricity. No installation. Operates from 0–40°C. Effective for 30 days.
Lab-Validated Performance
Independent laboratory and field testing confirm FreshLab’s performance across all spoilage drivers.
| Spoilage Factor | Result | Validation |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | 99.9% kill rate (E. coli, Pseudomonas, Staph) | KCL |
| Mold | No growth and active mold removal | KCL |
| Ethylene | 60% reduction at 6h, 80%+ at 24h | KTR |
| Shelf Life | +3 days up to 4 weeks | Field validation |
Three Formats. One Technology.
- Fresh Egg – Home refrigerators and household waste reduction
- Fresh Pouch – Crates and transport for export protection
- Fresh Fan – Cold rooms and warehouse-scale storage
All formats use the same core technology, scaled for different environments.
Real-World Applications
Producers and Exporters
Up to 47% reduction in transit losses, enabling longer routes and new markets.
Retailers
An average of 3.2 additional display days, increasing margins and reducing shrink.
Households
Over €200 saved per year in avoided food waste.
Flowers
20–40% waste reduction through ethylene suppression.
Why Competitors Cannot Match This
- Moisture packs control water only
- Ethylene scrubbers ignore microbes
- Chemical treatments face resistance
- Cold chain requires heavy infrastructure
- FreshLab controls all four naturally in a single unit
The Science Team Behind It
FreshLab was developed by CLOBIO’s biotech team, with backgrounds in immunotherapy and antiviral research, supported by Korean government funding in 2016. The technology is now scaling in Italy through the SmartStart program.
“Spoilage is not one problem. It is four acting together. FreshLab is the only solution designed to stop the entire chain.”
— Lan Tschirky, CEO & Co-founder
Get Started
Reduce waste. Extend freshness. Act now.
FreshLab. Because good produce should not go to waste.
January 5, 2026 | Lan Tschirky
