Solid Ozone Tech Offers Scalable Option to Extend Shelf Life, Reduce Spoilage

London, United Kingdom — 17 July 2026

US-based agri-tech start-up Onza Corp has launched FreshSure, a crystallised ozone sachet designed to provide controlled, slow-release antimicrobial protection for fresh produce. This development addresses persistent challenges of food safety, waste, and shelf life extension within the produce industry. Unlike traditional ozone applications requiring bulky, on-site generation equipment, FreshSure's patented gas-to-solid technology stabilises ozone, enabling portable and scalable deployment across the supply chain, from post-harvest to retail.

Ozone is a well-established antimicrobial agent, effective against pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, and is approved for food processing uses in the US. Its physical instability has historically limited broader application. Onza’s innovation transforms gaseous ozone into a solid, addressing this limitation by making antimicrobial intervention accessible without significant capital expenditure. According to Onza CEO Chuck Smith, the objective is to simplify ozone technology access, with sachets costing less than US$1.

Commercial trials are currently being conducted with agricultural and food producers in three countries to validate performance. This timing aligns with increasing industry pressure to reduce food waste and meet sustainability targets, particularly in the high-spoilage fresh produce sector. Longer transportation routes and complex distribution networks exacerbate these challenges, making a cost-effective, portable solution attractive to growers, packers, wholesalers, and retailers.

FreshSure aims to provide continuous antimicrobial protection and slow natural ripening throughout transit, storage, and display. The technology's portability differentiates it from conventional antimicrobial interventions, which are often confined to specific processing stages. Beyond developed markets, this system holds significant promise for regions with limited cold-chain infrastructure, where post-harvest losses are substantial. A low-cost, passive ozone delivery system could offer an additional preservation option, improving food security and economic viability in underserved areas.

What this means for United Kingdom

UK brand owners and retailers should evaluate FreshSure's potential to reduce fresh produce waste, which directly impacts procurement costs and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. Integration into existing supply chains could offer 5-10% improvements in delivered shelf life, reducing shrinkage costs incurred at the retail front line. Regulatory teams must monitor FSA and EFSA guidance regarding novel delivery systems for ozone in food contact applications. Early adoption or trial participation could offer a competitive advantage by enhancing product freshness and consumer appeal, particularly for premium or imported produce lines susceptible to transit-related degradation. The technology could also mitigate some impacts of labour shortages by reducing the need for intensive sorting of spoiled goods.

While FreshSure is Onza Corp's initial commercial offering, the company sees its gas-to-solid platform as foundational for broader applications, including healthcare and sanitation. Support from the Colorado Office of Economic Development indicates confidence in its commercialisation scalability. The ongoing trials will be critical in demonstrating the economic viability and efficacy required for widespread market adoption, potentially reshaping strategies for food safety and waste reduction.

Brand owners increasingly rely on contract-manufacturing partners such as Supplement Factory to navigate these requirements.