Can This Film Keep Meat Fresh for Days?

Freshr’s antimicrobial layer extends protein freshness without major changes to existing packaging lines

16 May 2025

A startup from the United States is offering a simpler way to keep meat and seafood fresher for longer. Freshr, a young firm focused on sustainable packaging, has developed a thin, natural coating called FreshrPack. Applied directly to recyclable or compostable films, the coating helps slow bacterial growth and extend shelf life, without the need for expensive machinery or complex packaging systems.

In lab trials, the coating added two to four days of freshness to poultry and fish, up to 30% longer than standard packaging. That could mean fewer spoiled goods and lower costs for food retailers. Importantly, FreshrPack fits existing production lines, avoiding the need for capital investment in modified atmosphere equipment.

“FreshrPack is the kind of simple innovation that unlocks huge value,” said one senior packaging expert. “It’s scalable, eco-friendly, and meets a clear market need.”

Investors seem to agree. Freshr’s latest funding round attracted capital from Invest Nova Scotia, Diamond Edge Ventures, BDC’s Climate Tech Fund, and others. As supermarkets grow more mindful of both emissions and safety, interest in low-waste, low-cost packaging is rising.

Yet Freshr still has hurdles to clear. Trials under real-world conditions, such as variable temperatures and humidity, are ongoing. The firm is also navigating the regulatory process for antimicrobial food-contact materials, though no formal approvals have yet been secured.

Even so, the product’s simplicity may give it an edge. Early interest from supply-chain managers suggests that FreshrPack could help shift the industry away from multilayer plastics and towards lighter, smarter films.

If it works, FreshrPack might do more than keep food fresh. It could freshen up the packaging sector itself.