Ceradis receives US EPA approval for new post-harvest biological fungicide

Ceradis B.V., a developer and marketer of innovative, environmentally friendly products for plant nutrition and crop protection, has received EPA approval for CeraFruta, a post-harvest biological fungicide treatment.

A highly innovative natural anti-fungal agent, CeraFruta provides broad-spectrum control of post-harvest fruit decays including Blue mold, Gray mold, Green Mold, Brown rot and Sour rot. The novel offering also controls Mucor rot, a post-harvest citrus disease which currently cannot be controlled by industry standard synthetic fungicides.

CeraFruta contains the active ingredient Natamycin, a biological molecule produced by soil bacteria as a defense mechanism against fungi. Its unique mode of action works by interrupting the formation of cell membranes, a fundamental part of any organism’s reproduction.

Specific to product efficacy, the active ingredient in CeraFruta demonstrates high ratings in post-harvest disease control across a wide variety of crops. Used widely in all major markets as a food preservative in meats, cheeses and baked goods, Natamycin is safe for use in consumable food products, crops and non-target organisms and is therefore exempt from the requirement of a tolerance for residues in the U.S. In industries where Natamycin has been used for decades, no signs of resistance have yet to be reported.

Jan Stechmann, Vice President, Marketing and Sales:  “CeraFruta provides a best-in-class alternative for protecting crop quality and marketability from post-harvest decay. The product comes to market with superior value in performance while exceeding established standards in food safety and pesticide handling protocol. ”

Wilke Heijs, Ceradis Development Director says the registration of CeraFruta is the next step in the company bringing biological technology to the U.S. agriculture industry.

Wilke Heijs, Ceradis Development Director:  “Consumer safety is high on our priority list. The accessibility of CeraFruta as biological fungicide allows for a reduction of pesticides on crops while keeping the same level of protection to fight fungi disease. The U.S. is our first introductory market for the product. We are committed in making the technology available worldwide.”

CeraFruta is the second biological crop protection product commercialized by Ceradis in the U.S. in the last eight months. Further registration for the novel post-harvest tool are expected in 2021, both for new crops for the U.S. market as well as in other countries in Latin America.